The objective of this introductory paper is to present a brief overview of the setting in which the structure and function of a black spruce ecosystem was considered in relation to other fire affected taiga ecosystems; the organizational framework within which the research was conducted; and the interdisciplinary nature of the research conducted by an interagency team of scientists from the University of Alaska, San Diego State University, the Institute of Northern Forestry (USDA Forest Service), and the Bureau of Land Management. The remaining papers in this set consider detailed aspects of the research conducted during the tenure of this project.