Skip to main content
Author(s):
James F. Fowler, Carolyn Hull Sieg, Joel D. McMillin, Kurt K. Allen, Jose F. Negron, Linda L. Wadleigh, John A. Anhold, Kara Gibson
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Effects
Ecological - Second Order
Vegetation
Ecosystem(s):
Ponderosa pine woodland/savanna

NRFSN number: 8400
FRAMES RCS number: 8471
Record updated:

Previous research has shown that crown scorch volume and crown consumption volume are the major predictors of post-fire mortality in ponderosa pine. In this study, we use piecewise logistic regression models of crown scorch data from 6633 trees in five wildfires from the Intermountain West to locate a mortality threshold at 88% scorch by volume for trees with no crown consumption. For trees with >40% crown consumption volume, linear regression indicates >85% mortality, but for trees with crown consumption volume <40%, there is a statistically significant, linear relationship between increasing crown scorch and increasing probability of mortality. Analysis of an independent 600+ tree dataset from Colorado produced similar results and supports the analysis approach. Crown scorch volume (>85%), crown consumption volume (>40%), and crown consumption between 5 and 40% combined with crown scorch volume >50% mortality thresholds could be incorporated into post-fire marking guidelines for forest management goals.

Citation

Fowler, James F.; Sieg, Carolyn Hull; McMillin, Joel; Allen, Kurt K.; Negron, Jose F.; Wadleigh, Linda L.; Anhold, John A.; Gibson, Ken E. 2010. Development of post-fire crown damage mortality thresholds in ponderosa pine. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 19(5):583-588.

Access this Document

Treesearch

publication access with no paywall

Check to see if this document is available for free in the USDA Forest Service Treesearch collection of publications. The collection includes peer reviewed publications in scientific journals, books, conference proceedings, and reports produced by Forest Service employees, as well as science synthesis publications and other products from Forest Service Research Stations.