Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation...
Transcript of Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation...
![Page 1: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
For 426: Fire Ecology of Sagebrush Steppe
Ecology of Arid and
Semi-arid lands
![Page 2: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Source: www.sagebrushsea.org
Sand sagebrush
(Artemisia filifolia)
Silver sagebrush
(Artemisia cana)
NOTE: Silver sagebrush is also found on
dry slopes in southeastern Alaska.
![Page 3: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Source: USGS
Black sagebrush
Mountain big sagebrush
Wyoming and basin
big sagebrush
Threetip sagebrush
![Page 4: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Wyoming big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass steppe near Boise, Idaho
![Page 5: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Wyoming big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass steppe near Arco, Idaho
![Page 6: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Big sagebrush steppe and southern shrublands near Lone Pine, California
![Page 7: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Stiff sagebrush/Sandberg bluegrass steppe, near Jordan Valley, Oregon
![Page 8: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Wyoming big sagebrush steppe-Shortgrass prairie ecotone near Casper, Wyo
![Page 9: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Big sagebrush subspecies
Wyoming big sagebrush (A. t. ssp. wyomingensis)
Basin big sagebrush (A. t. ssp. tridentata)
Mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana)
Foothill big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. xericensis)
“Spiked big sagebrush” (A. tridentata ssp. spiciformis)
“Mountain big sagebrush” (A. tridentata ssp. pauciflora)
(Tart and Winward 1996, 2001)
![Page 10: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Other common sagebrush vegetation types
Low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula)
Threetip sagebrush (Artemisia tripartita)
Black sagebrush (Artemisia nova)
Stiff sagebrush (Artemisia rigida)
Note: Several subspecies have been described
for these Artemisia species.
![Page 11: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Range of fire-free-intervals in pristine
sagebrush steppe vegetation
Vegetation type FFI (yrs)
Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue
Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25 (70)
Lower valley, mtn. Foothill 15-40
Wyo. big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass 30-60
Wyo. big sagebrush/Sandberg bluegrass 50->100
Stiff sagebrush/Sandberg bluegrass >100
FFI varies greatly due to factors such as ignition sources, topography, landscape
context and fuel continuity.
![Page 12: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Function of fire in sagebrush steppe vegetation
• Maintenance of sagebrush as a seral vegetation type(ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, western juniper, pinyon-juniper)
• Maintenance of seral vegetation types within sagebrush steppe (grasslands)
• Divert the primary productivity of the site from woody species to herbaceous species
• Increase the forb component of the community
• Establish recruitment conditions for a new cohort of a species (i.e. sagebrush, rabbitbrush species, bitterbrush, early seral grasses)
• Nutrient cycling
![Page 13: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata)
Moderate to high tolerance to
fire.
Moderate to low seedling
recruitment potential.
![Page 14: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
First-order fire effects: Fire severity
(Balatsos 1994)
Increasing fire severity
resulted in increased
fire damage.
Fire damage was limited
to tissues in the upper
20 mm of soil.
Bluebunch wheatgrass
Photo by J. Kingery
![Page 15: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
First-order fire effects: Plant phenology
(Balatsos 1994)
Bluebunch wheatgrass
Heat resistance varied
with phenological stage:
[summer > fall > spring].
Heat resistance varied
within a phenological
stage due to current
climatological conditions.
![Page 16: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Effects of increasing soil moisture on heat flow
and plant heat resistance:
- Increases the heat capacity of soil
- Increases the heat conductivity of soil
- Increases the heat movement in soil through
vapor flux
- Increases plant activity
![Page 17: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Great Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus)
One of the most fire tolerant
grasses associated with the
sagebrush steppe.
Low seedling recruitment
potential.
Suspected of increased
recruitment post-burn.
![Page 18: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Bottlebrush squirrel-tail (Elymus elymoides)
Very fire tolerant species.
High post-fire seedling
recruitment potential.
Relatively short-lived
plant.
![Page 19: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Needlegrasses (Acnatherum, Hesperostipa spp.)
Needle-and-thread
Photo by K. Sedivec & W. Barker
Moderate to high mortality
due to fire.
Moderate to high seedling
recruitment potential except
for Thurber needlegrass.
Often fill gaps created by fire
until other species respond.
![Page 20: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Photo by C. Johnson
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda)
Moderate to high mortality rates.
High seedling recruitment
potential.
Persists in community under
high sagebrush coverage and
density.
![Page 21: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Lupine species (Lupinus spp.)
High fire tolerance
Increased biomass production
post-fire
Often increased density post-fire
High seed production post-fire
Nitrogen fixer
Silky lupine (L. sericeus)
![Page 22: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Perennial forbs
Applegate’s paintbrush
(Castilleja applegatei) Most species respond
favorably to fire, however,
many wild buckwheat
species are fire sensitive.
The paintbrush species are
often parasitic.
Many sagebrush steppe
perennial forbs decline
during juniper woodland
encroachment. Seedling
recruitment following fire is
extremely slow.Mat wild-buckwheat
(Eriogonum caespitosum)
![Page 23: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
![Page 24: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Resprouting antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
![Page 25: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) seedlings from rodent cache
Deer mouse, David Cappaert,
www.forestryimages.org
![Page 26: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Changes in the environment that have significantly altered
the historical role of fire in sagebrush steppe vegetation
• Introduction of annual grasses (Cheatgrass, medusahead)
![Page 27: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Photo by Dale Wade, forestryimages.org
The introduction of
annual grasses has
permanently altered
the former role of fire
in sagebrush steppe.
![Page 28: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Changes in the environment that have significantly altered
the historical role of fire in sagebrush steppe vegetation
• Introduction of annual grasses (Cheatgrass, medusahead)
• Changes in levels of herbivory
Pronghorn antelope, William M. Ciesla
forestryimages.org
![Page 29: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Changes in the environment that have significantly altered
the historical role of fire in sagebrush steppe vegetation
• Introduction of annual grasses (Cheatgrass, medusahead)
• Changes in levels of herbivory
• Climatic change
World Health Organization (www.who.int/globalchange/climate/summary/en/)
Variations in Earth’s average surface temperature over the past 20,000 years
![Page 30: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
The number of fires by size class in the study region to include the
Snake River Plain and Northern Basin and Range Ecoregions.
Size-Class
3 years of data
Source: Kuchy 2008
Decade
1st and 2nd half
of data set
![Page 31: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Wyoming big sagebrush steppe, southern Idaho
![Page 32: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
First year post-burn
![Page 33: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Fifth year post-burn
Bottlebrush
squirrel-tail
Great Basin
wildrye
![Page 34: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Fifteenth year post-burn
Unburned sagebrush island
![Page 35: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus)
![Page 36: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
![Page 37: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
![Page 38: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Burn pattern on landscape
![Page 39: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
1st year post-burn
![Page 40: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
3rd year post-burn
![Page 41: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Mountain big sagebrush/Idaho fescue steppe, eastern Idaho
![Page 42: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Douglas-fir, mountain big sagebrush, eastern Idaho
![Page 43: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
1st year post-burn
![Page 44: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
3rd year post-burn
![Page 45: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
7th year post-burn
![Page 46: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Post-burn establishment and recovery of the
sagebrush stand depends upon:
- The taxa of sagebrush involved
- Continuity of the burned area, related to
seed availability
- Post-burn environmental conditions
![Page 47: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Mountain big sagebrush/
Idaho fescue ht.
Beaverhead Range, Idaho
7th year post-burn
Mountain big sagebrush/
Idaho fescue ht.
Owyhee Mountains, Idaho
8th year post-burn
![Page 48: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
The use of prescribed fire is limited by
the following considerations:
• Disagreement on the optimal sagebrush cover
for different multiple-uses
• Disagreement on the appropriate size of sagebrush
burns
• Lack of fine fuels
• Low levels of perennial herbs present in the pre-fire
community
• Short-term effects on some high profile species
(bitterbrush, sage grouse)
• Potential for biological invasions
![Page 49: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Prescribed fire in Wyoming big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass
![Page 50: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Source:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1214
/pdf/ofr20081214.pdf
Murphy Complex Fire
July 16-Aug. 3, 2007
Total area: 653,100 acres
(1020 square miles)
Ignition source: Lightning
This was actually 3 fires:
Rowland Fire
Elk Mtn. Fire
Scotts Creek Fire
Arrows indicate approximate
fire ignition points.
![Page 51: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Source:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1214
/pdf/ofr20081214.pdf
July 18
July 19
July 20
July 21
Burn progression mapJuly 16- August 3, 2007
July 24
![Page 52: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
Source:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1214
/pdf/ofr20081214.pdf
The highest severity fire
(orange) was associated with
areas that had the highest
coverage of big sagebrush.
The lower severity fire (yellow)
was associated with areas that
had previously burned and were
dominated by herbaceous species.
Cheatgrass was common in the
northern quarter.
Native species and seeded
introduced grasses were common
in the southern three quarters.
Burn severity map based
on remotely sensed data
![Page 53: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
Wyoming big sagebrush steppe- Pre-burn
![Page 54: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Murphy Complex FirePhoto taken August 28, 2007, 3 weeks post-burn
![Page 55: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
Source: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1214/pdf/ofr20081214.pdf
![Page 56: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Murphy Complex Fire- Burned/unburned mosaicPhoto taken August 28, 2007
![Page 57: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
Murphy Complex Fire- Unburned (grazed), Burned (ungrazed)Photo taken August 28, 2007
![Page 58: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Source: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1214/pdf/ofr20081214.pdf
![Page 59: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
BehavePlus output: 12% dead fuel moisture
Source: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1214/pdf/ofr20081214.pdf
Threshold of fire behavior with
decreasing fine fuel load.
![Page 60: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
BehavePlus output: 10% dead fuel moisture
Source: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1214/pdf/ofr20081214.pdf
At lower dead fuel moistures and higher
wind speeds, fire behavior was increasingly
determined by sagebrush overstory and
less by fine fuel loading.
![Page 61: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
Murphy Fire- 2 years post-burn, June 2009
Idaho fescue & bluebunch wheatgrass Idaho fescue & bluebunch wheatgrass
Bottlebrush squirrel-tailCrested wheatgrass
![Page 62: Fire ecology of sagebrush steppe - University of Idaho · sagebrush steppe vegetation Vegetation type FFI (yrs) Mtn. Big sagebrush-mtn. Snowberry-fescue Conifer contact zone (7) 15-25](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070706/5e9ebb5446433d18a2456e54/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
Western juniper woodland-mountain big sagebrush steppe
Next time