fire regimes and successional dynamics of yellow pine (pinus) stands in the central appalachian...

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Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas A&M University Department of Geography, Texas A&M University Henri D. Grissino-Mayer Henri D. Grissino-Mayer Department of Geography, University of Tennessee Department of Geography, University of Tennessee Elaine K. Sutherland Elaine K. Sutherland Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service Steve Q. Croy Steve Q. Croy George Washington and Jefferson National Forests George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Georgina D. Wight Georgina D. Wight Department of Geography, University of Tennessee Department of Geography, University of Tennessee Serena R. Aldrich Serena R. Aldrich Department of Geography, Texas A&M University Department of Geography, Texas A&M University Research funding provided by the Research funding provided by the National Interagency Fire Center, National Interagency Fire Center, Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP)

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Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

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Page 1: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains

Charles W. LafonCharles W. LafonDepartment of Geography, Texas A&M UniversityDepartment of Geography, Texas A&M University

Henri D. Grissino-MayerHenri D. Grissino-MayerDepartment of Geography, University of TennesseeDepartment of Geography, University of Tennessee

Elaine K. SutherlandElaine K. SutherlandRocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest ServiceRocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service

Steve Q. CroySteve Q. CroyGeorge Washington and Jefferson National ForestsGeorge Washington and Jefferson National Forests

Georgina D. WightGeorgina D. WightDepartment of Geography, University of TennesseeDepartment of Geography, University of Tennessee

Serena R. AldrichSerena R. AldrichDepartment of Geography, Texas A&M UniversityDepartment of Geography, Texas A&M University

Research funding provided by theResearch funding provided by theNational Interagency Fire Center,National Interagency Fire Center,

Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP)Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP)

Page 2: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Justification

Page 3: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

Page 4: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

Page 5: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

Page 6: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

Page 7: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

Page 8: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

Page 9: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Climate Drivers of Wildfires

Page 10: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Location of Brush Mountain Study Site

Page 11: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Margaret M. Moore, Connie A. Woodhouse, John Kush, Wally Covington, Tim PlumbSally P. Horn, Laurie Huckaby, Elaine K. Sutherland, Henri D. Grissino-Mayer, Richard Kerr

Page 12: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas
Page 13: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas
Page 14: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Preliminary Fire History (1993 study)

Page 15: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Preliminary Age Structure (1993 study)

Page 16: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Between 1850—1950, fires were frequent, occurring on Between 1850—1950, fires were frequent, occurring on average once every 10 yrs.average once every 10 yrs.

Major fire events (determined by the number of Major fire events (determined by the number of samples scarred) occurred in 1882, 1883, 1893, 1900, samples scarred) occurred in 1882, 1883, 1893, 1900, 1910, 1926, and 1934.1910, 1926, and 1934.

No major fire event since 1934 indicated increased fuel No major fire event since 1934 indicated increased fuel accumulations and possible changes in fire regimes.accumulations and possible changes in fire regimes.

Most 20Most 20thth fires occurred during years of severe fires occurred during years of severe droughts (PDSI < -2.0).droughts (PDSI < -2.0).

Establishment dates for most of our trees indicated Establishment dates for most of our trees indicated major regeneration pulse following a fire in 1853.major regeneration pulse following a fire in 1853.

Major Findings:

Page 17: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003

Page 18: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003Brush Mountain

Page 19: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003Brush Mountain

Page 20: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003Brush Mountain

Page 21: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003North Mountain

Page 22: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003North Mountain

Page 23: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003North Mountain

Page 24: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003Mill Mountain

Page 25: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003Mill Mountain

Page 26: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003Reddish Knob

Page 27: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003Reddish Knob

Page 28: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Fire History: Brush Mountain (preliminary)

Page 29: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Fire History: North Mountain (preliminary)

Page 30: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Age-class Distribution for Trees on Brush Mountain

Page 31: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Age-class Distribution for Trees on Mill Mountain

Page 32: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Age-class Distribution for Trees on North Mountain

Page 33: Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas

Thank You!