Treesearch

We used the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model to estimate the effects of radiotransmitters on survival of breeding northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis). We separately compared apparent annual survival of leg-banded goshawks with (1) tailmount- and (2) backpack-style radiotransmitters (hereafter tailmounts and backpacks) to apparent annual survival of breeding adults with legbands only. The best model without radiotransmitter effects, evaluated with Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICc), suggested no gender- or year-specific effects on survival. We then added radiotransmitter attachment type...

A classification of spatial simulation models of fire and vegetation dynamics (landscape fire succession models or LFSMs) is presented. The classification was developed to provide a foundation for comparing models and to help identify the appropriate fire and vegetation processes and their simulation to include in coarse scale dynamic global vegetation models. Other uses include a decision tool for research and management applications and a vehicle to interpret differences between LFSMs. The classification is based on the four primary processes that influence fire and vegetation dynamics:...

Fire suppression has increased fuel loadings and fuel continuity in many forested ecosystems, resulting in forest structures that are vulnerable to catastrophic fire. This paper describes the statistical properties of models developed to describe the spatial variability in forest fuels on the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota. Forest fuel loadings (tonnes/ha) are modeled to a 30 m resolution using a combination of trend surface models to describe the coarse-scale variability in forest fuel, and binary regression trees to describe the fine-scale variability associated with site-speci...

A male Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus), banded as a breeding adult (age unknown) on 8 July 1988 in central Colorado, was last recaptured on 8 July 2001. On the same study area, a female Flammulated Owl was banded as a breeding adult (age unknown) on 7 July 1988 and was last recaptured on 22 June 1995. These data establish longevity at a minimum 14 yrs for males and 8 yrs for females. The data suggest that Flammulated Owls may be relatively long-lived, and support evidence that this species has a life history strategy similar to larger raptors.

Ponderosa pine forest restoration consists of thinning trees and reintroducing prescribed fire to reduce unnaturally high tree densities and fuel loads to restore ecosystem structure and function. A current issue in ponderosa pine restoration is what to do with the large quantity of slash that is created from thinning dense forest stands. Slash piling burning is currently the preferred method of slash removal because it allows land managers to burn large quantities of slash in a more controlled environment in comparison with broadcast burning slash. However burning slash piles is known to...

FireWorks is an educational program that provides interactive, hands-on activities for studying fire behavior, fire ecology, and human influences on three fire-dependent forest types-ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), interior lodgepolepine (P. contorta var.latifolia), and whitebark pine (P. albicaulis). Wildland fire provides a rich context for education because it promotes understanding and integration of numerous concepts: properties of matter, ecosystem fluctuations and cycles, plant and animal habitat and survival, and human interactions with ecosystems. The FireWorks curriculum uses a...

The Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis (IWFIA) program of the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, as part of its national Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) duties, conducted forest resource inventories of the Southwestern Region (Region 3) National Forests. This report presents highlights of the Santa Fe National Forest 1998 inventory including population estimates and summaries of commonly requested variables. Any trends or disturbances (such as fire) that have occurred after 1998 will be discussed in future reports of the Santa Fe National Forest.

Limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) and Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata Engelm.) are two white pines that grow in Colorado. Limber pine has a broad distribution throughout western North America while bristlecone pine’s distribution is almost entirely within the state of Colorado. White pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola J. C. Fisch.) was discovered in Colorado in 1998 and threatens populations of both species. Available information suggests that these species have several important ecological roles, such as (1) occupying and stabilizing dry habitats not likely to be...

ECO-Report is an annual Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) publication which contains a set of articles showcasing the Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project (BEMRP) research projects and activities. The articles are concise, user-friendly, and designed to inform a broad range of audiences interested in ecosystem management. Articles featured in this issue: Great Issues, Great Diversions; Making a Difference with Ecosystem Management Projects (Why They’re Valuable!); BEMRP Turns 10; A Vision for RMRS Ecosystem Management Projects; Symptoms, Productive Systems, and Sustainabili...

The Rocky Mountain Research Station is one of six regional units that make up the USDA Forest Service Research and Development organization - the most extensive natural resources research organization in the world. We maintain 12 field laboratories throughout a 14-state territory encompassing the Great Basin, Southwest, Rocky Mountains and parts of the Great Plains. The Station employs nearly 500 permanent full-time employees, of which over 100 are research scientists.