Modeling effects of prescribed fire on wildlife habitat: Stand structure, snag recruitment and coarse woody debris

Abstract

The essential role of fire in sustaining ecosystems has recently been formally recognized. It is specifically addressed in several new national policy documents. In the Federal Wildland Fire Policy and Program Review's Implementation Action Plan (US Department of Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture 1996). federal land managers expect to implement a several-fold increase in the use of prescribed fire to restore and maintain key ecosystems. In his February. 1997 speech addressing the need to "fight fire with fire." Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt described the need to integrate fuels management with fire suppression funding. He challenged Congress to help "…escalate the restorative use of fire to make forests safer, healthier, and more resilient."

Citation

Hardy, Colin C.; Reinhardt, Elizabeth D. 1998. Modeling effects of prescribed fire on wildlife habitat: Stand structure, snag recruitment and coarse woody debris. In: Fire and wildlife in the Pacific Northwest: Research, policy, and management; April 6-8, 1998; Spokane, WA. Bethesda, MD: The Wildlife Society, Northwest Section, Oregon and Washington Chapters. p. 67-74.