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Fire Ecology of Rocky Mountain Forests

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Fire Ecology and Management: Past, Present, and Future of US Forested Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Managing Forest Ecosystems ((MAFE,volume 39))

Abstract

Fire is a dominant driver of ecosystem patterns and processes across the Rocky Mountains. This chapter describes fire ecology and fire-related management for the major forest types in the Rocky Mountains. Major forest types included are ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, mixed-conifer, lodgepole pine, spruce-fir, five-needle pines, and aspen. For each forest type we describe historical fire regimes, interactions between fire and other disturbances, departures from historical patterns, and projected future patterns. We explain fire resistance and postfire recovery patterns. We also include projected alterations to fire regimes and ecological implications due to climate change , with common silvicultural and fuel treatment options for restoration and wildfire mitigation. This information provides a comprehensive examination of contemporary fire ecology and management options in the Rocky Mountains, couched in a historical perspective.

Ecoregions 15, Northern Rockies; 16, Idaho Batholith; 17, Middle Rockies; 19, Wasatch and Uinta Mountains; 21, Southern Rockies; 41, Canadian Rockies

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Program, Missoula, MT, USA

    Sharon M. Hood

  2. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Brian J. Harvey

  3. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Paula J. Fornwalt

  4. Department of Forest Ecosystems & Society, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Cameron E. Naficy

  5. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA

    Winslow D. Hansen

  6. Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA

    Kimberley T. Davis

  7. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest and Woodland Ecosystems Program, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Mike A. Battaglia

  8. Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Camille S. Stevens-Rumann

  9. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems Program, Bozeman, MT, USA

    Victoria Ann Saab

Authors
  1. Sharon M. Hood
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  2. Brian J. Harvey
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  3. Paula J. Fornwalt
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  4. Cameron E. Naficy
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  5. Winslow D. Hansen
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  6. Kimberley T. Davis
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  7. Mike A. Battaglia
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  8. Camille S. Stevens-Rumann
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  9. Victoria Ann Saab
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sharon M. Hood .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management Research Work Unit, Asheville, NC, USA

    Cathryn H. Greenberg

  2. Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, USA

    Beverly Collins

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Hood, S.M. et al. (2021). Fire Ecology of Rocky Mountain Forests. In: Greenberg, C.H., Collins, B. (eds) Fire Ecology and Management: Past, Present, and Future of US Forested Ecosystems. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 39. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73267-7_8

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