Cascading effects of fire exclusion in the Rocky Mountain ecosystems: a literature review

Robert E. Keane; Kevin C. Ryan; Tom T. Veblen; Craig D. Allen; Jessie Logan; Brad Hawkes

doi:10.2737/RMRS-GTR-91

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Cascading effects of fire exclusion in the Rocky Mountain ecosystems: a literature review

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Robert E. Keane, Kevin C. Ryan, Tom T. Veblen, Craig D. Allen, Jessie Logan, Brad Hawkes

Year:

2002

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-GTR-91

Source:

General Technical Report. RMRS-GTR-91. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 24 p.

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Download (PDF 2.67 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/5132.pdf

Abstract

The health of many Rocky Mountain ecosystems is in decline because of the policy of excluding fire in the management of these ecosystems. Fire exclusion has actually made it more difficult to fight fires, and this poses greater risks to the people who fight fires and for those who live in and around Rocky Mountain forests and rangelands. This paper discusses the extent of fire exclusion in the Rocky Mountains, then details the diverse and cascading effects of suppressing fires in the Rocky Mountain landscape by spatial scale, ecosystem characteristic, and vegetation type. Also discussed are the varied effects of fire exclusion on some important, keystone ecosystems and human concerns.

Keywords

wildland fire, fire exclusion, fire effects, landscape ecology

Citation

Keane, Robert E.; Ryan, Kevin C.; Veblen, Tom T.; Allen, Craig D.; Logan, Jessie; Hawkes, Brad. 2002. Cascading effects of fire exclusion in the Rocky Mountain ecosystems: a literature review. General Technical Report. RMRS-GTR-91. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 24 p.