Initial response of conifer and California black oak seedlings following fuel reduction activities in a Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest

摘要: Forest structure, fuel characteristics, and fire regimes of mixed conifer forests in the Western United States (US) have been dramatically altered since early 20th century. Fuel treatments suggested as a means to limit size intensity wildfires but few experiments are available analyze ecological effects different treatments. The objective this study is determine how mechanical, prescribed fire, mechanical combination affected seedling density by species Sierra Nevada forest. relative influences stand-level light availability substrate quality on black oak densities assessed. For all combined, increased when only treatment was applied no change detected for other well combined plus had effect significantly increasing Douglas-fir density. Ponderosa pine applied. California decreased Previous studies found decline sugar ponderosa dense stands Sierran forests. findings reported here corroborate these that current conditions not conducive recruitment species. Our initial results indicate, case, used reduce hazard may result retention or seedlings.