Browsing by Subject "wildfire"
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Item Influence of logging, fire, and forest type on biodiversity and productivity in southern boreal forests(Ecological Society of America, 2001) Reich, Peter B; Bakken, Peter; Carlson, Daren; Frelich, Lee E; Friedman, Steve K; Grigal, David FThe effects of logging on ecosystem sustainability are controversial. Surprisingly, existing data are inadequate to allow a comprehensive evaluation of logging effects on biodiversity, composition, and productivity since appropriate comparisons of stands of similar ages and differing disturbance histories are rare. We addressed this issue using a study of 2000 plots in 80 southern boreal forest stands in northern Minnesota, USA, wherein we contrasted naturally regenerated aspen (Populus tremuloides), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and black spruce (Picea mariana) stands established following logging or the dominant natural disturbance, wildfire, for stands of two age classes (25-40 and 70-100 yr old). For young stands, those established postlogging had higher vascular plant diversity than those postwildfire. Otherwise, we found no evidence of differing species diversity (including canopy tree, shrub, herbaceous, and bryophyte species), composition, productivity, or nitrogen cycling, in forest stands of comparable age and forest type that originated after logging compared to after wildfire. These variables, however, differed significantly among forest types, with aboveground net primary productivity and plant species diversity generally higher in aspen than jack pine stands, even when growing on comparable soils, and lowest in black spruce. Although there is evidence that logging has increased the proportional landscape dominance by aspen, a forest type with higher diversity, nutrient cycling, and productivity than other types, our evidence refutes the idea that disturbance by logging has diminished stand-scale productivity or plant diversity in comparison to the common natural disturbance, wildfire.Item Utilization of Fire-Impacted Timber: A Summary of a Survey of Mill Procurement Personnel and a Review of the Literature(University of Minnesota, 2022-05) Harberts, Isaac C.; Blinn, Charles R.; Gill, Kyle G.; Johnson, Lane B.Wildfire is an important ecological process and prescribed fire is a critical tool for the stewardship of fire-dependent forest lands. Continued interest in the use of prescribed fire as part of various silvicultural systems raises the question: How does fire-impacted timber influence timber utilization by mills? To help answer that question, a survey of mill procurement staff in the Lake States (Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin) and the southeastern US and a literature review were conducted. When it comes to utilizing fire-impacted timber, the "answer" is situation dependent on what the mill produces and their outlets for residual products. Charred wood and bark negatively impact the quality of products manufactured from pulpwood (e.g., paper, fluff pulp, cardboard) as small discolored flecks can appear in the final product. Utilization by mills which produce dimensional lumber generally isn’t a concern as the charred material can be removed by the debarking and slabbing processes. However, char-damaged wood fibers can result in weaker strength solid wood products. When considering the use of prescribed fire in a timber stand, it is important to consider local markets and their procurement specifications for fire-impacted timber. Waiting several years after a prescribed fire before harvesting timber may increase its utilization.