Abstract
Classic ecological concepts and forestry language regarding old growth are not well suited to frequent-fire landscapes. In frequent-fire, old-growth landscapes, there is a symbiotic relationship between the trees, the understory graminoids, and fire that results in a healthy ecosystem. Patches of old growth interspersed with younger growth and open, grassy areas provide a wide variety of habitats for animals, and have a higher level of biodiversity. Fire suppression is detrimental to these forests, and eventually destroys all old growth. The reintroduction of fire into degraded frequent-fire, old-growth forests, accompanied by appropriate thinning, can restore a balance to these ecosystems. Several areas require further research and study: 1) the ability of the understory to respond to restoration treatments, 2) the rate of ecosystem recovery following wildfires whose level of severity is beyond the historic or natural range of variation, 3) the effects of climate change, and 4) the role of the microbial community. In addition, it is important to recognize that much of our knowledge about these old-growth systems comes from a few frequent-fire forest types.
Highlights
Traditional forestry took decades to understand the unique features of frequent-fire forests
Several areas require further research and study: 1) the ability of the understory to respond to restoration treatments, 2) the rate of ecosystem recovery following wildfires whose level of severity is beyond the historic or natural range of variation, 3) the effects of climate change, and 4) the role of the microbial community
Foresters in the Southwest were very concerned about the near-absence of young trees in forests dominated by older, widely spaced ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) trees, and they realized that frequent fires prevented the development of closedcanopy, high-wood-producing forests
Summary
Traditional forestry took decades to understand the unique features of frequent-fire forests. Leopold did not yet have the insight to understand the profound consequences of 100 000 seedlings per acre, he later came to see the more subtle argument that fire prevention thwarted the processes necessary for the long-term health of the forest ecosystem. Frequent fires challenge the survival of new tree seedlings and strongly shape the long-term development of all the components of a forest. The frequent recurrence of fires reinforces a spatial heterogeneity, promoting a forest with high, smallscale variety in plant species composition, animal habitat, and ecological processes. This pattern of local variety is a key defining feature of old-growth forests in frequent-fire landscapes. We consider some of the crucial ecological roles that might depend partially on the spatial arrangements of trees, and those that relate to the fully developed old-growth conditions
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