Treesearch

Summarizes recent literature on the effects of fire on sagebrush-grass vegetation. Also outlines procedures and considerations for planning and conducting prescribed fires and monitoring effects. Includes a comprehensive annotated bibliography of the fire-sagebrush-grass literature published since 1980.

Expands upon the basic concepts of fuel modeling to provide a more complete discussion of the technical details of constructing site-specific fire behavior fuel models.

Two central Idaho clearcuts regenerated naturally to lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and one regenerated with planted ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were evaluated to see if soil compaction and displacement affected growth as measured by tree height, diameter at breast height, and radial growth increment. Pole-sized trees ranging in age from 15 to 25 years occupy the sites, and soils contain considerable volcanic ash in the surface 30 cm. Significant (90 percent level) declines in one or more growth attributes were associated with increased penetration resistance and lateral soil...

Describes pros and cons of potential solutions to common wilderness recreation problems. Covers the purpose of each potential solution, costs to visitors and management, effectiveness, other considerations, and sources of additional information.

Guidelines include a large number of specific measures to characterize the existing condition of wilderness resources. Measures involve the atmospheric environment, water chemistry and biology, geology and soils, and flora. Where possible, measures are coordinated with existing long-term monitoring programs. Application of the measures will allow more effective evaluation of proposed new air pollution sources.

Nearly all wildfires are extinguished when they are still small. The 3-5% that get out of control cause 95% of all wildfire-related costs and damages (Dodge 1972, Wilson 1985). There are two ways to deal with these problem fires. One practice is to limit fire by suppressing fires as soon as possible after they are detected. Increasing the capability of suppression forces would presumably allow fire-fighters to catch more large fires when the fires are still small. However, substantial increases in suppression capability occurred in the 1970’s without a reduction in suppression expenditures...

Turkeys (Meleagris gallapovo) selected nest sites that provided good horizontal concealment. Rock or rock outcrops were selected most frequently for nest concealment on first-nest attempts. Renest attempts showed a selection preference for shrubs as nest cover; most of these were located in meadows. Nesting success doubled for renests versus first nest attempts. Turkeys selected habitats (as described here by USDA Forest Service, Wildlife Habitat Relationships (WHR) criteria and site summaries from stage II inventories) in a nearly random pattern. Adult turkeys selected pole-size-class...

We studied habitat use by Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) at four sites in northern California. Vegetative cover types (macrohabitats) were used in proportion to availability. Significant microhabitat variables which distinguished used from available microhabitat structure included proximity to water and tall, dense shrubs. Mountain Quail population densities ranged from 9 to 30 birds per 100 ha; populations with greater densities used a larger range of the available microhabitat structure.

Avian use of scoria outcrop habitats was compared to use of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)/grassland habitats. Outcrop habitats exhibited higher species richness, total population density, density of lark sparrows (Chondestres grammucus), and density of rock wrens (Salpinctes obsoetus). Western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) and vesper sparrows (Pooecetes grumineus) were more abundant in sagebrush/grassland habitats than in scoria outcrops. Habitat relationship models indicated that the unique plant community and structural diversity provided by the scoria outcrops were correlated with...

Home range size and habitat utilization of three breeding male Richardson’s Merlins (Falco columbarius richardsonii) in southeastern Montana were studied using radio telemetry. Home ranges of these birds encompassed 13,23, and 28 km2. Each bird traveled up to 9 km from its nest. Each home range encompassed five habitats; sagebrush/grassland, riparian, and Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) communities were used significantly (p < 0.05) more, and grasslands and agricultural fields less (p < 0.05), than expected, based on the proportions in the combined home ranges. Four sites regularly used...