Article
Forestry
Elizabeth-Ann K. Jamison, Anthony W. D'Amato, Kevin J. Dodds
Summary: Pitch pine barrens, a globally rare fire-dependent ecosystem, are of great ecological, social, and cultural significance. However, the exclusion of fire has led to habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. This study aims to provide baseline information on their structure and composition to support adaptive management.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Charles C. Rhoades, Timothy S. Fegel, Robert M. Hubbard, Marin E. Chambers
Summary: Serotinous cones play an important role in the resilience of lodgepole pine forests. Despite the high mortality caused by crown fires and bark beetle outbreaks, serotinous cones can provide viable seeds for regeneration in burned areas, although the germination rate decreases with cone age.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kathleen M. Quigley, Randall Kolka, Brian R. Sturtevant, Matthew B. Dickinson, Christel C. Kern, Jessica R. Miesel
Summary: The study shows that repeated prescribed fires of moderate to high frequency may enhance soil hydraulic conductivity, reducing soil water retention and potentially restoring functional pine barren processes that limit woody plant growth.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Ashley M. Woolman, Jonathan D. Coop, John D. Shaw, Jennie DeMarco
Summary: Land management legacies and climate change have caused shifts in forest structure and fire regimes in western ponderosa pine forests. This study assesses recent fire effects in these forests and finds that severe burns lead to tree losses and vegetation shifts. The findings contribute to our understanding of the ecological outcomes of climate change and disturbance regimes, and provide guidance for land management efforts.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Argo Orumaa, Ahto Agan, Sten Anslan, Tiia Drenkhan, Rein Drenkhan, Karin Kauer, Kajar Koster, Leho Tedersoo, Marek Metslaid
Summary: This study investigated the long-term effects of forest fires on the dynamics of soil fungal community in hemiboreal Scots pine stands. The results showed significant effects of fires on soil and fungi, with soil saprotrophs and ectomycorrhizal fungi dominating the fungal communities. Fire had a significant impact on fungal species richness and composition, and soil pH also played a role in determining fungal species composition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Tahia Devisscher, Jillian Spies, Verena C. Griess
Summary: In British Columbia, community forestry provides a 20-year foundation for enhancing the resilience of forest landscapes. Findings show that forest management practices to enhance resilience mainly focus on species diversification, introduction of drought-tolerant species, monitoring, wildfire risk management, and enhanced silviculture. CFs, with long-term planning and investment, have shifted residents' mindset towards the multifunctionality of forests.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hua Qin, Hannah Brenkert-Smith, Christine Sanders, Jamie Vickery, Martha Bass
Summary: Longitudinal studies of risk perception are a growing but understudied area of research, with natural resource-based communities providing an important backdrop for analyzing dynamic risk perceptions. The case study of the mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado shows changes in wildfire risk perception over time, influenced by various factors. Evolving wildfire risk perception is strongly associated with explanatory variables and personal characteristics, with different factors influencing changes across cognitive and affective dimensions.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Irene Adamo, Carles Castano, Jose Antonio Bonet, Carlos Colinas, Juan Martinez de Aragon, Josu G. Alday
Summary: Our study demonstrates that in Mediterranean pine forests, ectomycorrhizal phylogenetic communities are not significantly influenced by tree hosts, but pH plays a key role as a strong abiotic filter.
Article
Ecology
Wenfei Liao, Stephen Venn, Jari Niemela
Summary: This study investigates the impact of structural connectivity on functional connectivity in an urban landscape using diving beetles as an indicator taxon. The results show that well-connected ponds share more species and that species composition is influenced by both structural and functional connectivity. The study recommends providing well-connected aquatic habitats in urban landscapes to ensure biodiversity conservation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Lappan, M. Sibarani, T. G. O'Brien, A. Nurcahyo, N. Andayani, E. L. Rustiati, R. A. Surya, L. Morino
Summary: This study examined the long-term effects of forest fires on siamang habitat use, revealing that tree density in burned areas had returned to the baseline, but with a different tree species composition. The siamang home ranges in burned forests increased over time, while those in unburned forests did not.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Andrea L. Lyons, William L. Gaines, Jeffrey C. Lewis, Benjamin T. Maletzke, Dave Werntz, Daniel H. Thornton, Paul F. Hessburg, James Begley, Carmen Vanbianchi, Travis W. King, Gretchen Blatz, Scott Fitkin
Summary: The conservation and recovery of Canada lynx in the North Cascades of Washington, USA is facing challenges from the synergistic effects of climate change, wildfires, fire suppression, and past forest management. Fires have altered lynx habitat distribution and reduced carrying capacity, leading to a decrease in lynx population. An alternative approach to vegetation and fire management is discussed to protect and restore lynx habitat and populations in Washington.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Robert K. Booth, Gregor W. Schuurman, Elizabeth A. Lynch, Matthew G. Huff, Julia A. Bebout, Nisogaabokwe Melonee Montano
Summary: In fire-prone ecosystems, understanding the relationship between vegetation, fire, and climate is essential to manage fire as a tool, especially with the rapidly changing climate. On Stockton Island, the cessation of Indigenous cultural burning and fire-suppression policies led to structural changes in the pine-dominated natural area. Palaeoecological records showed that fire has been a crucial part of Stockton Island ecology for at least 6000 years. The composition and structure of pine forest and barrens were relatively stable due to regular low-severity surface fires, though higher severity fire episodes occurred during droughts.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Kim Usher, Joanne Durkin, Lesley Douglas, Yumiko Coffey, Navjot Bhullar
Summary: The aim of this study was to explore the coping styles, posttraumatic stress, and mental health symptoms of community members affected by the 2019-20 Australian bushfires. The results showed that participants experienced moderate symptoms of depression and stress, and severe levels of anxiety. They reported using both approach and avoidance coping strategies, as well as experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Some individuals may have long-term mental health consequences from the bushfires. Consequently, it is crucial for mental health services to be readily available in the affected areas, and mental health nurses play an important role in supporting those affected by disasters.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Kevin C. Hannah, Julia E. Put, Julia Shonfield
Summary: Wildfire is a significant factor in shaping the boreal forests of North America, and the Northern Hawk Owl is one of the least studied species in relation to it. Through a survey of 18 recent fires in Alberta, Canada, it was found that the owl is strongly associated with older deciduous-dominated forest areas. The owl responded differently based on the time since the fire, showing an immediate response to low severity fires and a delayed response to high severity fires.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew Hamilton, Jonathan Salerno, Alexandra Paige Fischer
Summary: The study evaluates the significance and function of feedback loops embedded within cognitive maps among stakeholders in a fire-prone region in the U.S. West. The findings indicate that cognition of feedback loops is limited among individuals but becomes prominent within groups, highlighting the importance of collaborative decision-making and identifying areas of cognitive biases.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2022)