|
Key Question #3:
What are the short- and long-term effects of fires on stream ecosystems? Are effects of fire predictable? What is the structure and character of aquatic habitats and what is the successional pattern in response to disturbance by fire? How does fire suppression and thinning and prescribed fire mimic natural succession patterns?
Key proposals:
Proposal P30, Development of indicators and monitoring approaches to defining the effects of stand-replacing wildfire on stream ecosystems in forested landscapes, James Clayton et al., $144,648; Proposal P72, Development of risk assessment tools for reintroducing fire and BAER implementation, James Clayton et al., $141,120; P96, Support and coordination to fire effects on stream systems, BNF, $4,000; and Bruce Rieman proposal on support of a workshop, $76,500.
Summary of key proposals:
1) P30 and P96 - These two proposals are complementary. P96 was proposed in conjunction with P30 to provide additional logistic support for the latter.
Study and sampling design:
This study addresses the short- and long-term effects of fire by examining the structure and character of aquatic habitats in response to disturbance by fire. The focus is on effects of fires per se, and whether or not effects of fire are predictable. An important emphasis will be development of methods for monitoring effects of fire on stream ecosystems. Studies of stream habitat (e.g., stream channel morphology, sediment, and large wood) succession following fire in the Pacific Northwest form an important basis for the work. A better understanding of the effects of fire on aquatic ecosystems will provide an essential context for developing pre- and post-fire management responses.
Process for field collection of data:
Field data collection will be coordinated closely with National Forests (Nez Perce, Payette, and Boise National Forests). Existing information on fire histories and related forest inventory information will be used to the full extent possible. Workshops with key NFS individuals will be conducted to assist study design and field collection of data. Work in 2001 will be focused on preliminary field reconnaissance and development and refinement of field sampling protocols.
Data analysis:
Will involve conventional methods of statistical analysis, including GIS products, whenever appropriate. Results will be disseminated through workshops, presentations at scientific meetings, and publications through the Forest Service or externally in peer-reviewed journals.
Costs and timeframe: $148,648; 3 years (2001-2003)
Lead scientists and Forest personnel:
Scientists - James Clayton, Bruce Rieman, Charlie Luce, Jason Dunham, Alan Barta, Jack King, RMRS-Boise. Forest personnel - Patricia Green, Nez Perce NF; David Burns, Payette NF; Cavan Maloney, Boise NF.
2) Proposal in support of a workshop on fire and aquatic ecosystems:
Study and sampling design:
The primary objective of this project is to provide an authoritative summary and synthesis of the issues, science, and current understanding of fire and fire-related management, in the context of whole watersheds and the aquatic ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. The synthesis will be organized along a number of key topics, including management issues and perspectives, fire history, fire regimes, fire effects at different spatial and temporal scales, post-fire management, BAER, and watershed restoration.
Process for field collection of data:
There is no field component to this project. The summary and synthesis will be produced through a formal workshop consisting of a group of invited experts on individual topics. The final product from this effort will be a published volume of the proceedings of the workshop. The final volume will include each of the edited papers, the synthesis with recommendations for management and research, and complete references for relevant literature. Depending on final publication options and additional support, the final document may take the form of a published book or a Research Series publication.
Data analysis:
See above. The final product from this effort will be an edited volume of selected papers.
Costs and timeframe; $76,500; 2001-3 (workshop organization to publication)
Lead scientists and Forest personnel:Scientists - Bruce Rieman, James Clayton, Charles Luce, RMRS-Boise, Pete Bisson, Gordon Reeves, PNW-Corvallis; Robert Gresswell, USGS. Forest personnel - David Burns, Payette NF; Rick Stowell, R1/R4 National Fire Plan team.
3) Development of risk assessment tools for reintroducing fire and BAER implementation:
Study and sampling design:
We propose to use Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) to assess sediment risk. BBNs have been used recently to assess salmonid population viability and to evaluate the effects of land management alternatives for the Interior Columbia River Basin. We will develop two BBNs, one to assess sediment risk for BAER implementation and another to assess the sediment risk for reintroducing fire into ecosystems where vegetation is at a high risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Process for field collection of data:
Field data collection will focus on opportunities to establish a relationship between rainstorm intensity and debris flow initiation, and will rely heavily on previous and ongoing work (such as that of Sue Cannon et al. funded by R1/R4). We will also work with BAER teams and National Forests to test these products along with the existing methods they use.
Data analysis:
This work is aimed at developing decision support tools. Analysis will focus on parameterizing, refining, and validating the Bayesian Belief Networks developed. Results will be disseminated through workshops, presentations at scientific meetings, and publications through the Forest Service, or externally in peer-reviewed journals.
Costs and timeframe: $141,120; 2001-3
Lead scientists and Forest personnel: Alan Barta, RMRS-Boise; Cavan Maloney, Boise NF.
Co-team leaders: Jason Dunham (RMRS) and Scott Russell (Nez Perce NF)
Other key individuals: Charlie Luce, Alan Barta, James Clayton, Bruce Rieman (RMRS)
| 
