High and dry: post-fire tree seedlingestablishment in subalpine forestsdecreases with post-fire drought andlarge stand-replacing burn patches

Authors

Brian J. Harvey, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Daniel C. Donato, Washington State Department of National Resources
Monica G. Turner, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Global Ecology and Biogeography

Volume

25

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

First Page

655

Last Page

669

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Abstract

Aim: Climate warming and increased wildfire activity are hypothesized to catalyse biogeographical shifts, reducing the resilience of fire-prone forests world-wide. Two key mechanisms underpinning hypotheses are: (1) reduced seed availability in large stand-replacing burn patches, and (2) reduced seedling establishment/survival after post-fire drought. We tested for regional evidence consistent with these mechanisms in an extensive fire-prone forest biome by assessing post-fire tree seedling establishment, a key indicator of forest resilience.

Location: Subalpine forests, US Rocky Mountains.

Methods: We analysed post-fire tree seedling establishment from 184 field plots where stand-replacing forest fires were followed by varying post-fire climate conditions. Generalized linear mix ed models tested how establishment rates varied with post-fire drought severity and distance to seed source(among other relevant factors) for tree species with contrasting post-fire regeneration adaptations.

Results: Total post-fire tree seedling establishment (all species combined) declined sharply with greater post-fire drought severity and wit h greater distance to seed sources (i.e. the interior of burn patches). Effects varied among key species groups. For conifers that dominate present-da y subalpine forests (Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa), post-fire seedling establishment declined sharply with both factors. One exception was serotinous Pinus contorta, which did not vary with either factor. For montane species expected to move upslope under future climate change (Larix occidentalis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Populus tremuloides) and upper tree line species(Pinus albicaulis), establishment was unrelated to either factor. Greater post-fire tree seedling establishment on cooler/wetter aspects suggested local topographic refugia during post-fire droughts.

Main Conclusions: If future drought and wildfire patterns manifest as expected, post-fire tree seedling establishment of species that currently characterize subalpine forests could be substantially reduced. Compensatory increases from lower montane and upper tree line species may partially offset these reductions, but our data suggest important near-to mid-term shifts in the composition and structure of high-elevation forests under continued climate warming and increased wildfire activity.

Recommended Citation

Harvey, B. J., D. C. Donato, and M. G. Turner. 2016. High and dry: post‐fire tree seedling establishment in subalpine forests decreases with post‐fire drought and large stand‐replacing burn patches. Global Ecology and Biogeography 25:655-669.