Testing for Evidence of Mixed-Severity Fire Regimes in the Rocky Mountain Foothills of Alberta

AMOROSO, MARIANO

2009-07-15/2009-11-15

1-26

Biológica

Produccion y sanidad forestal-Otros

This research is a collaboration between the Foothills Research Institute Natural Disturbance Program, Hinton Wood Products - West Fraser Mills Ltd. and the Tree-Ring Lab at the University of British Columbia to investigate the fire regimes of the mixed-conifer, mountain forests of the Rocky Mountain foothills of west-central Alberta. This pilot study investigates the spatial and temporal variation of historical fires and reconstructs their impacts on forest structure and dynamics. We hypothesize fire regimes in the area of study are complex, including low- to moderate- severity fires intermixed with high-severity fires. As mixed-severity fire regimes are poorly understood in western Canada, the outcomes of this research have both fundamental and applied value. With improved knowledge of historical fire severities, decision-making will be enhanced and managers will be empowered to use scientifically-based, sustainable forest management practices. Specifically, if historical fire regimes included fires of mixed-severity, then a greater variety of harvesting and silvicultural systems may be applied within the Hinton Wood Products Forest Management Area.