Fire Regime Alteration in Natural Areas Underscores the Need to Restore a Key Ecological Process

• DOI: 10.3375/043.039.0211
• Publication Date: 2019-05-21T09:43:16Z
• Authors: Michelle Coppoletta; Hugh D. Safford; Becky L. Estes; Marc D. Meyer; Shana E. Gross; Kyle E. Merriam; Ramona J. Butz; Nicole A. Molinari
• Keywords: Fire regime; Fire ecology

Research Natural Areas (RNAs) are federal lands designated to protect exemplary, relatively undisturbed ecosystems where ecological processes may proceed unencumbered with minimal human intervention. Ideally, RNAs serve as properly functioning reference sites for more heavily managed landscapes. However, many have been modified some degree by past and ongoing actions. In the western United States, these actions commonly result in altered disturbance regimes, most notably fire. Ecological regimes important components of natural ecosystems, major changes such challenge usefulness RNA system a network. To assess extent modern departure from their pre-Euroamerican settlement (i.e., pre-1850) fire we examined 64 on Forest Service California. We found that 76% exhibited moderate high regime departure. Of these, 87% burning much less frequently than they would under presettlement 13% frequently. Within RNAs, historically characterized frequent, mostly low-severity missed multiple cycles tend burn at higher severities expected regime. present four case studies demonstrate how recent wildfires affected California RNAs. also indicate future management strategies could address effectively sustain target within Our findings suggest re-examination hands-off approach protected areas like is needed.