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Author(s):
George E. Gruell
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire History
Ecosystem(s):
Subalpine wet spruce-fir forest, Subalpine dry spruce-fir forest, Montane wet mixed-conifer forest, Montane dry mixed-conifer forest, Ponderosa pine woodland/savanna, Juniper woodland, Mountain shrubland/wooded draw, Sagebrush steppe

NRFSN number: 11260
FRAMES RCS number: 12630
Record updated:

Interprets changes in forest and range vegetation resulting from the absence of fire. Eighty-six matched photographs covering the period 1871-1982 provide the basis for describing how vegetation has changed in various plant communities. These scenes show that woody vegetation has increased markedly as a result of reduced wildfire. An increase in conifers and deterioration of herbs, shrubs, and deciduous trees is resulting in loss of habitat upon which early and mid-successional wildlife species depend. Implications on wildlife and opportunities for use of cutting and prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat are discussed.

Citation

Gruell, George E. 1983. Fire and vegetative trends in the Northern Rockies: interpretations from 1871-1982 photographs. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-158. Ogden, UT: USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 117 p.