APPLYING NATURAL DISTURBANCE RESEARCH IN

JASPER NATIONAL PARK

FIRE MANAGEMENT DEFINED:

An Integration of:

Fire Control

and

Fire Use for Ecosystem Management Purposes

FIRE CONTROL

NATURAL DISTURBANCE

1915 1995

FMF Stand Origin Map

1900 Habitat 50 Years and less

1950 Habitat 50 Years and less

1998 Habitat 50 Years and less

FireFire--dependent Ecosystemsdependent Ecosystems

Fire essential to structure and functioning of ecosystemSuccessional changesAge structure and species composition (Biodiversity)Fuel loading and distributionNutrient cyclingForest Insects and Diseases

CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERED FIRE REGIME

Increased Fuel Accumulation and Continuity (BIOMASS !!)

Increased probability of larger or uncontrollable fires

Increased probability of more intense and severe fires >> impact on soil & water

Reduced landscape variation

Increased risk to public safety, property and adjacent lands

CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERED FIRE REGIME

More Older Vegetation Less non-forested vegetation/habitat (grasslands,

shrublands)

Less deciduous forest (aspen, willow)

Decreased habitat quality for many species (biodiversity)

Altered insect & disease population dynamics

Altered wildlife population dynamics

WHY DO WE PRESCRIBE BURN ?

-Ecological Restoration

-Capping Units

-Fuel Reduction

-Research

-MPB

Jackladder PB

Fire Affects Research

Aspen / Elk / Fire

Henry House II

Hawk Mountain PB

Fire Pattern and PB Planning