Predicting Postfire Mortality of Seven Western Conifers

Authors

Kevin C. Ryan
Elizabeth D. Reinhardt

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

Publication Date

1988

Issue

10

Volume

18

First Page

1291

Last Page

1297

Abstract

Data on 2356 trees from 43 prescribed fires in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington were used to model postfire tree mortality. Data were combined for seven species of conifers (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, Picea engelmannii, Pinus contorta, Abies lasiocarpa, Thuja plicata and Tsuga heterophylla) to develop binary logistic regression models for predicting the probability of mortality. Probability of mortality increased with percentage of the crown killed and decreased as bark thickness increased. Models are presented with and without species as a categorical variable. The models are applicable for assessing fire-caused mortality both of individual trees and in mixed conifer stands of the Pacific Northwest.

Comments

Originally published by the National Research Council - Canada.
Note: This article appears in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research.

Recommended Citation

Ryan, K. and Reinhardt, E. (1988). Predicting postfire mortality of seven western conifers. Can. J. For. Res. 18(10): 1291–1297.