Introduction. Forests are changing dramatically in the face of climate change and human activities. Since the 1800s, fire exclusion, animal grazing, timber harvest, and climate cycles have contributed to these changes (Graham and Jain 2005). In 2016, we are seeing unprecedented tree mortality—more than 62 million have died this year alone (USDA 2016). California experienced a fourth consecutive year of below-average precipitation in 2015 with mean monthly temperatures reaching record or near record highs in January, February, March, and June. Consecutive years of drought, over-stocked forests, and higher than average temperatures are a perfect recipe for fire. In 2015, fires consumed 846,872 acres of forest killing millions of trees and
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Bark beetle outbreaks are often fueled by drought and fire-damaged trees, killing more trees and exacerbating the effects of climate change (CFPC 2015). This paper will be focusing on the decline of one of California’s most abundant species, the Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Ponderosa pine trees have a wide range and can be found throughout the western United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico (Little 1971). Here in California they primarily occupy mountainous regions but have been found in elevations ranging from sea level to 10,000 ft. depending on latitude (Oliver and Ryker 1990). Ponderosa pines are susceptible to further decline as we continue to see increases in temperature and drought in California. It is inevitable that we will continue to see changes in our forest structures so long as we continue to manipulate and influence the natural world. However, what will these changes mean for the health and well-being of humans and wildlife? P. ponderosa is a beautiful tree that provides scenery, solace, and enjoyment to humans and crucial habitat for birds, mammals, insects, and associated understory plant species. Future forest management decisions depend on thorough interdisciplinary solutions to major problems like the bark beetle attacks and …show more content…
Historically, Ponderosa pine was maintained by low-intensity, high-frequency fire in age-diverse forests (Cooper 1960, Fulé et al. 1997, Laughlin et al. 2004). This was nature’s regime. The open canopy in these forests is associated with slow-moving fires moving along the forest floor to mid-canopy. A century of fire suppression in the western United States has dramatically changed forest structure compared to pre-Euro-American settlement (Covington and Moore, 1994; Taylor and Skinner, 1998; Fry and Stephens, 2006). Modern forests are denser with heavier fuel loads, making for a higher frequency and severity of wildfires (Covington, 2000). Fire has several effects on P. ponderosa, depending on the intensity of the fire and the previous health of the trees. Foliage heat damage such as stunted growth in pine needles can be found after fires (CFPC 2015). Ponderosa pine forests may have evolved with fire events and their composition and structure are somewhat dependent on fire occurrences. However, modern ponderosa pine forests have a different structure than they did historically, so the fires we see today burn differently than they did in the past. Ponderosa pine forests are known to be historically more “open.” Their canopy is mixed-height and fires travel slower as the crowns of trees are more further separated. Even though the extent or area burned is similar to historical times, these crown fires tend to be more severe, killing continuous expanses of
Bark beetle outbreaks are often fueled by drought and fire-damaged trees, killing more trees and exacerbating the effects of climate change (CFPC 2015). This paper will be focusing on the decline of one of California’s most abundant species, the Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Ponderosa pine trees have a wide range and can be found throughout the western United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico (Little 1971). Here in California they primarily occupy mountainous regions but have been found in elevations ranging from sea level to 10,000 ft. depending on latitude (Oliver and Ryker 1990). Ponderosa pines are susceptible to further decline as we continue to see increases in temperature and drought in California. It is inevitable that we will continue to see changes in our forest structures so long as we continue to manipulate and influence the natural world. However, what will these changes mean for the health and well-being of humans and wildlife? P. ponderosa is a beautiful tree that provides scenery, solace, and enjoyment to humans and crucial habitat for birds, mammals, insects, and associated understory plant species. Future forest management decisions depend on thorough interdisciplinary solutions to major problems like the bark beetle attacks and …show more content…
Historically, Ponderosa pine was maintained by low-intensity, high-frequency fire in age-diverse forests (Cooper 1960, Fulé et al. 1997, Laughlin et al. 2004). This was nature’s regime. The open canopy in these forests is associated with slow-moving fires moving along the forest floor to mid-canopy. A century of fire suppression in the western United States has dramatically changed forest structure compared to pre-Euro-American settlement (Covington and Moore, 1994; Taylor and Skinner, 1998; Fry and Stephens, 2006). Modern forests are denser with heavier fuel loads, making for a higher frequency and severity of wildfires (Covington, 2000). Fire has several effects on P. ponderosa, depending on the intensity of the fire and the previous health of the trees. Foliage heat damage such as stunted growth in pine needles can be found after fires (CFPC 2015). Ponderosa pine forests may have evolved with fire events and their composition and structure are somewhat dependent on fire occurrences. However, modern ponderosa pine forests have a different structure than they did historically, so the fires we see today burn differently than they did in the past. Ponderosa pine forests are known to be historically more “open.” Their canopy is mixed-height and fires travel slower as the crowns of trees are more further separated. Even though the extent or area burned is similar to historical times, these crown fires tend to be more severe, killing continuous expanses of