Linking old-growth forest composition, structure, fire history, climate and land-use in the mountains of northern México
The authors quantified the structure and composition of old-growth conifer forest stands in northwestern Mexico. They related this information to fire regime history data from Fulé et al. (2012) to determine relationships between regional climate variability, fire and forest structure since approximately 250 years ago to today.
The authors found that periods of drought were significantly related to fire occurrence during El Niño oscillations; however, this trend was interrupted in the 1940’s and 1950’s, likely by the introduction to logging and livestock grazing in the area. This interruption of the fire regime also resulting in an increase in tree establishment, especially oak and other broadleaf tree species.
Climate and Fire Linkages
The authors found that periods of drought were significantly related to fire occurrence during El Niño oscillations; however, this trend was interrupted in the 1940’s and 1950’s, likely by the introduction to logging and livestock grazing in the area.
Fire and Ecosystem Effects Linkages
An interruption of the fire regime in the 1940’s and 1950’s, likely by the introduction to logging and livestock grazing in the area, resulted in an increase in tree establishment, especially oak and other broadleaf tree species.
An interruption of the fire regime in the 1940’s and 1950’s, likely by the introduction to logging and livestock grazing in the area, resulted in an increase in tree establishment, especially oak and other broadleaf tree species.