Fire and vegetative trends in the Northern Rockies: interpretations from 1871-1982 photographs

Interprets changes in forest and range vegetation resulting from the absence of fire. Eighty-six matched photographs covering the period 1871-1982 provide the basis for describing how vegetation has changed in various plant communities. These scenes show that woody vegetation has increased markedly as a result of reduced wildfire. An increase in conifers and deterioration of herbs, shrubs, and deciduous trees is resulting in loss of habitat upon which early and mid-successional wildlife species depend. Implications on wildlife and opportunities for use of cutting and prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat are discussed.