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Author(s):
Theresa B. Jain, Russell T. Graham, David S. Pilliod
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Effects
Ecological - First Order
Fire Regime
Fire Intensity / Burn Severity
Ecosystem(s):
Montane wet mixed-conifer forest, Montane dry mixed-conifer forest

NRFSN number: 10978
FRAMES RCS number: 2561
Record updated:

A study funded through National Fire Plan evaluates the relation between pre-wildfire forest structure and post-wildfire soil burn severity across three forest types: dry, moist, and cold forests. Over 73 wildfires were sampled in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, and Utah, which burned between 2000 and 2003. Because of the study's breadth, the results are applicable for understanding how forest structure relates to post-wildfire soil burn severity within Rocky Mountains forests. This paper discusses a burn severity classification that integrates fire intensity, fire severity, and post wildfire response; and discusses the relations wildfire setting (fire group), tree crown ratio, tree canopy cover, surface fuel condition, and tree size have with different soil burn severity outcomes.

Citation

Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Pilliod, David S. 2006. The relation between forest structure and soil burn severity. In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps. Fuels management - How to measure success, conference proceedings. 2006 March 28-30; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 615-631.