Long-term Effects of Chaining and Prescribed Fire on Plant Community Succession in Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands
NATHAN BRISTOW, University of Nevada - Reno, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
DR. PETER WEISBERG, Assistant Professor of Landscape Ecology, University of Nevada - Reno, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
DR. ROBIN TAUSCH, Supervisory Range Scientist, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Reno
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| Abstract: In past decades, mechanical methods such as chaining were frequently used for reducing tree density in expanding pinyon-juniper woodlands. These alternative methods to prescribed fire are now experiencing a resurgence despite less closely emulating natural processes. Information on the longer-term outcome of either treatment type for restoration of sagebrush ecosystems is largely unavailable. This study will resample seven chaining sites in eastern Nevada that were treated from 1958-1969 and first sampled with controls in 1970-1971. In addition, five sites that experienced prescribed fire in the same region and were first studied in 1975-1976 will be revisited. Field methods, including characterization of tree ages, vegetation structure and plant community comparisons will be supplemented with the use of satellite imagery to
compare rates of succession and spatial patterns of vegetation cover following chaining, prescribed fire, and wildfire. This design will allow a detailed determination of long-term sagebrush ecosystem responses to mechanical and prescribed fire treatments, including rates and patterns of tree regrowth and re-establishment. The results will address the ability of these rangelend restoration approaches to achieve their long-term objectives of countering woodland expansion and reducing fire risk. |
