Long term forest regeneration data from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness following the Ham Lake Fire (2007) and Cavity Lake Fire (2006)

Abstract

Long term data on regeneration of woody plants collected in 2000-01, 2007 and 2010-11 in the Seagull - Saganaga Lake area of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and adjoining areas of the Superior National Forest. Data was collected after the 1999 blowdown and before and after numerous prescribed fires, the 2006 Redye Lake Fire, 2006 Famine Lake Fire, 2006 Cavity Lake Fire and 2007 Ham Lake Fire. Dataset includes measurements of the basal area of trees on circular plots of 12.5 m radius and regeneration of trees and woody shrubs on 3m radius plots as part of a nested plot design. Plots were repeatedly measured over time. Other data collected included subjective measures of wind and fire severity, presence and decay class of dead trees, and occularly estimated % cover of woody trees and shrubs. Data was collected as part of the doctoral research of Elias Anoszko and Roy Rich and was used to study the effects of wind and fire disturbances on succession and regeneration in the boreal forest.