Treesearch

A different kind of storm--neither fire nor wind--brought 60 forestry practitioners who work in wildfire risk prevention and several social science researchers together near Lyons, CO. Brainstorm. This unique retreat--a meeting of the minds--commingled these two groups to share and tackle ideas concerning social issues that shape decisions and behaviors regarding wildland fire risk mitigation across Colorado’s wildland/urban interface communities.

After working with pronghorn for the last seven years, we know that two of the most important threats to the pronghorn population in Mexico are low offspring survival and habitat fragmentation.

The geologic diversity of landforms in the Southwest complicates efforts to evaluate impacts of land uses such as livestock grazing. We examined a research study that evaluated relationships between trout biomass and stream habitat in the White Mountains of east-central Arizona. That study interpreted results of stepwise regressions and a nonparametric test of “grazed and ungrazed meadow reaches” as evidence that livestock grazing was the most important factor to consider in the recovery of the Apache trout (Oncorhynchus apache Miller). That study had assumed that geologic variation was...

Prescribed fire was used in two semiarid grasslands to reduce shrub cover, promote grass production, and reduce erosional loss that represents a potential non­point-source of sediment to degrade water quality. This study measured transported soil sediment, dynamics in soil surface microtopography, cover of the woody shrub, grass, and bare ground cover classes, and soil fertility measured by nitrogen-mineralization potentials for the respective cover classes over a 9-year period during which 2 fires occurred. In general, the effects of two drought periods were equal to or greater than the...

We live in a rapidly-changing world, and the Janos-Casas Grandes region is no exception. Many changes have occurred between the fall of 2001 and the spring of 2005.

The National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment (NEEA) Update Program is a management oriented program designed to improve monitoring and assessment efforts through the development of type specific classification of estuaries that will allow improved assessment methods and development of analytical and research models and tools for managers which will help guide and improve management success for estuaries and coastal resources. The assessment methodology, a Pressure-State-Response (PSR) approach, uses a simple model for determination of Pressure and statistical criteria for indicator...

Habitat loss and fragmentation are among the largest threats to amphibian populations. However, most studies have not provided clear insights into their population-level implications. There is a critical need to investigate the mechanisms that underlie patterns of distribution and abundance. In order to understand the population- and species-level implications of habitat loss and fragmentation, it is necessary to move from site-specific inferences to assessments of how the influences of multiple factors interact across extensive landscapes to influence population size and population...

The potential economic effects of tamarisk (saltcedar), and the costs and benefits associated with controlling tamarisk infestations are being evaluated on the Pecos, Rio Grande, and Colorado River watersheds. Resource impacts analyzed include water, wildlife habitat, and fire risk. The extent of existing infestations will be quantified and projected over the next 30 years under the following four scenarios: 1. No action (status quo); 2. Containment; 3. Maximum control in 20 years; 4. Maximum control in 30 years. The economic costs and benefits associated with each alternative scenario...

The Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy (CWFS) provides a vision for a new, innovative, and integrated approach to wildland fire management in Canada. It was developed under the auspices of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers and seeks to balance the social, ecological, and economic aspects of wildland fire through a risk management framework that emphasizes hazard mitigation, preparedness, and recovery as well as efficient fire suppression and response. This strategic and holistic approach is needed to address both the root causes and symptoms of current and future wildland fire managemen...

The pathology collection located at the Rocky Mountain Research Station is fairly extensive. The oldest specimen in the collection was acquired in 1871; since then over 4,600 samples have been added. The data associated with the RMRS collection was converted from a card catalog to an electronic database, allowing greater flexibility in sorting and querying. The contents of this report include information on each specimen and are useful for identifying whether a more extensive search of the electronic database is appropriate, as well as historical reference material.