A Key for Predicting Postfire Successional Trajectories in Black Spruce Stands of Interior Alaska

A Key for Predicting Postfire Successional Trajectories in Black Spruce Stands of Interior Alaska PDF

Author: Jill Frances Johnstone

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 46

ISBN-13:

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Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P) is the dominant forest cover type in interior Alaska and is prone to frequent, stand-replacing wildfires. Through impacts on tree recruitment, the degree of fire consumption of soil organic layers can act as an important determinant of whether black spruce forests regenerate to a forest composition similar to the prefire forest, or to a new forest composition dominated by deciduous hardwoods. Here we present a simple, rule-based framework for predicting fire-initiated changes in forest cover within Alaska's black spruce forests. Four components are presented: (1) a key to classifying potential site moisture, (2) a summary of conditions that favor black spruce self-replacement, (3) a key to predicting postfire forest recovery in recently burned stands, and (4) an appendix of photos to be used as a visual reference tool. This report should be useful to managers in designing fire management actions and predicting the effects of recent and future fires on postfire forest cover in black spruce forests of interior Alaska.

How to Predict the Spread and Intensity of Forest and Range Fires

How to Predict the Spread and Intensity of Forest and Range Fires PDF

Author: Richard C. Rothermel

Publisher:

Published: 1983

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13:

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This manual documents procedures for estimating the rate of forward spread, intensity, flame length, and size of fires burning in forests and rangelands. Contains instructions for obtaining fuel and weather data, calculating fire behavior, and interpreting the results for application to actual fire problems.

Field Procedures for Verification and Adjustment of Fire Behavior Predictions

Field Procedures for Verification and Adjustment of Fire Behavior Predictions PDF

Author: Richard C. Rothermel

Publisher:

Published: 1983

Total Pages: 28

ISBN-13:

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The problem of verifying predictions of fire behavior, primarily rate of spread, is discussed in terms of the fire situation for which predictions are made, and the type of fire where data are to be collected. Procedures for collecting data and performing analysis are presented for both readily accessible fires where data should be complete, and for inaccessible fires where data are likely to be incomplete. The material is prepared for use by field units, with no requirements for special equipment or computers. Procedures for selecting the most representative fuel model, for overall evaluation of prediction capability, and for developing calibration coefficients to improve future predictions are presented. Illustrated examples from several fires are included. The material is a companion publication to the fire prediction manual titled, 'INT-GTR-143: How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fire' by R. C. Rothermel.