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Abstract
Over the past several years, fire managers have increased their use of mastication treatments, the on-site disposal of shrubs and small-diameter trees through chipping and shredding. Mastication is a relatively untested management practice that alters the chemical and physical conditions of the forest floor and may influence vegetation regrowth and fuel development for years or decades. Eighteen sites were established across four ecosystems of the southern Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau: lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), mixed conifer (Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus flexilis, and Pinus contorta), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), and pinyon pine/juniper (Pinus edulis/Juniperus sp.). These sites were distributed across a wide geographic range throughout Colorado and represent treatments across several federal, state, and other land agencies. The sites were mulched between 2004 and 2006 and first measured in 2007 or 2008.
Keywords
fuels reduction,
mastication,
chipping,
shredding,
restoration,
vegetation regrowth,
lodgepole pine,
Pinus contorta,
mixed conifer,
Pinus ponderosa,
Pseudotsuga menziesii,
Pinus flexilis,
Pinus contorta),
ponderosa pine,
Pinus ponderosa,
pinyon pine/juniper,
Pinus edulis/Juniperus
Citation
Battaglia, Mike; Rhoades, Charles; Rocca, Monique E.; Ryan, Michael G. 2010. A regional assessment of the ecological effects of chipping and mastication fuels reduction and forest restoration treatments. Final report: JFSP Project Number 06-3-2-26. [Boise, ID]: [Joint Fire Science Program]. 37 p.
