Restoring natural fire regimes to the Sierra Nevada in an era of global change

Abstract

A conceptual model of fire and forest restoration and maintenance is presented. The process must begin with clearly articulated goals and depends upon derivation of science-driven models that describe the natural or desired conditions. Evaluating the extent to which contemporary landscapes depart from the model is a prerequisite to determining the need for restoration. Model landscapes that include the historical range of variability are commonly used as target conditions in setting restoration objectives. Restoration is a corrective step that ultimately must be replaced by a maintenance process. In a world of changing climate, structural targets of historical conditions will become progressively less meaningful to ecosystem maintenance. Future fire management needs to focus more on fire as a process, in particular as it pertains to proper ecosystem functioning. One area in need of much further research is the critical role of gap formation in forest regeneration.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Keeley, Jon E.; Stephenson, Nathan L. 2000. Restoring natural fire regimes to the Sierra Nevada in an era of global change. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-5. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 255-265