Choose a search method


Climate + Fire

Fire + Ecosystem Effects

Search

Climate

Fire

Ecosystem Effects
Full Citation: van Mantgem, Phillip J.; Stephenson, Nathan L.; Byrne, John C.; Daniels, Lori D.; Franklin, Jerry F.; Fulé, Peter Z.; Harmon, Mark E.; Larson, Andrew J.; Smith, Jeremy M.; Taylor, Alan H.; Veblen, Thomas T. 2009. Widespread increase of tree mortality rates in the western United States. Science 323(5913):521-524.
External Identifier(s): 10.1126/science.1165000 Digital Object Identifier
Location: Western U.S.; British Colombia, Canada
Ecosystem types: Forested ecosystems
Southwest FireCLIME Keywords: None
FRAMES Keywords: tree mortality, climate warming, mortality rates, western United States

View the FRAMES record

Widespread increase of tree mortality rates in the western United States

Phillip J. van Mantgem, Nathan L. Stephenson, John C. Byrne, Lori D. Daniels, Jerry F. Franklin, Peter Z. Fulé, Mark E. Harmon, Andrew J. Larson, Jeremy M. Smith, Alan H. Taylor, Thomas T. Veblen
Summary - what did the authors do and why?

The authors assessed the widespread tree mortality that has occurred in coniferous forests in the western U.S. and Canada and identified possible causes of the increased mortality.
Publication findings:

Overall, the authors found that fire and fire exclusion is unlikely responsible for the change in mortality rates in the coniferous western forests of the western U.S. and British Colombia, Canada. Instead, the authors suggest that warming and subsequent hydroclimate changes is directly responsible for the increased mortality rate.

Fire and Ecosystem Effects Linkages

How do fire frequency, rotation, and return interval relate to tree mortality, survivorship, and turnover?

Overall, the authors found that fire and fire exclusion is unlikely responsible for the change in mortality rates in the coniferous western forests of the western U.S. and British Colombia, Canada. Instead, the authors suggest that warming and subsequent hydroclimate changes is directly responsible for the increased mortality rate.