Disturbance, scale, and boundary in wilderness management

Abstract

Natural disturbances are critical to wilderness management. This paper reviews recent research on natural disturbance and addresses the problem of managing for disturbances in a world of human-imposed scales and boundaries. The dominant scale issue in disturbance management is the question of patch dynamic equilibrium. The dominant boundary issue in disturbance management is the effect of boundary conditions on disturbance frequency and magnitude. Human property and attitudes outside wilderness areas influence management decisions on disturbances within natural areas.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

White, Peter S.; Harrod, Jonathan; Walker, Joan L.; Jentsch, Anke. 2000. Disturbance, scale, and boundary in wilderness management. In: McCool, Stephen F.; Cole, David N.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 27-42