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Full Citation: van Mantgem, Phillip J.; Stephenson, Nathan L.; Knapp, Eric; Battles, John; Keeley, Jon E. 2011. Long-term effects of prescribed fire on mixed conifer forest structure in the Sierra Nevada, California. Forest Ecology and Management 261(6):989-994.
External Identifier(s): 10.1016/j.foreco.2010.12.013 Digital Object Identifier
Location: Sequoia National Park, California, U.S.
Ecosystem types: Old-growth mixed-conifer forest
Southwest FireCLIME Keywords: None
FRAMES Keywords: fire exclusion, fire hazard reduction, fire injuries (plants), fuel loading, post-fire recovery, biomass, diameter classes, mortality, national parks, population density, size classes, Sierra Nevada, fire management, forest management, coniferous forests, old growth forests, forest restoration, fuel reduction treatments, spatial pattern, tree mortality, forest structure, stem density, Sequoia National Park, mixed conifer forest

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Long-term effects of prescribed fire on mixed conifer forest structure in the Sierra Nevada, California

Phillip J. van Mantgem, Nathan L. Stephenson, Eric E. Knapp, John J. Battles, Jon E. Keeley
Summary - what did the authors do and why?

The authors monitored prescribed fire in old-growth mixed conifer stands for eight consecutive years to examine the long-term effects on forest structure and how the actual results compared to restoration objectives.


Publication findings:

The authors found that prescribed fire can affect forest structure for five or more years post-treatment. Delayed tree mortality was observed up to eight years post-fire causing a 67% reduction in stem density within the time period of the analysis. The authors suggest that long-term, prescribed fire can alter stand structure in old-growth mixed conifer forests.

Fire and Ecosystem Effects Linkages

How do fire behavior, type, and intensity relate to species composition, non-natives, and structure?

The authors found that prescribed fire can affect forest structure for five or more years post-treatment. Delayed tree mortality was observed up to eight years post-fire causing a 67% reduction in stem density within the time period of the analysis. The authors suggest that long-term, prescribed fire can alter stand structure in old-growth mixed conifer forests.