Proximity to grasslands influences fire frequency and sensitivity to climate variability in ponderosa pine forests of the Colorado Front Range
The authors examined the relationship between fire frequency in ponderosa pine forests and their proximity to grassland and shrubland sites as well as the sensitivity to climate variation also related to the adjacency to these sites.
The authors found that ponderosa pine forest stands that are closer in proximity to grassland- and shrubland-dominated sites burn at higher frequencies, and furthermore, grassland-adjacent stands are more sensitive to fluctuations in climate. Fire years in grassland ecosystems in the Colorado Front Range are synchronous with year-of-drought and 2-year lagged moisture conditions, which promote increased fuel growth and continuity. Grassland-adjacent forests are more likely to burn due to the increased continuity of fuels when conditions permit fire in grasslands, whereas forest further from grasslands may be fuel limited during drought years.
Climate and Fire Linkages
The authors found that ponderosa pine forest stands that are closer in proximity to grassland- and shrubland-dominated sites burn at higher frequencies, and furthermore, grassland-adjacent stands are more sensitive to fluctuations in climate. Fire years in grassland ecosystems in the Colorado Front Range are synchronous with year-of-drought and 2-year lagged moisture conditions, which promote increased fuel growth and continuity. Grassland-adjacent forests are more likely to burn due to the increased continuity of fuels when conditions permit fire in grasslands, whereas forest further from grasslands may be fuel limited during drought years.