The Jury is Still Out

In the Journal Ecology (93(4), 2012, pp. 939-950) are three commentaries concerning the Simard et.al. paper: Do mountain pine beetle outbreaks change the probability of active crown fire in lodgepole pine forests?

The first comment is by Christopher J. Moran and Mark A. Cochrane both of South Dakota State University.

The second comment is by W. Matt Jolly, Russell Parsons, J. Morgan Varner, Bret W. Butler, Kevin C. Ryan,and Corey L. Gucker (all associated with the Rocky Mountain Research Station except J. Morgan Varner who is at Humboldt State University).


The third is a response to the comments by the authors of the original paper - Martin Simard, William H. Romme, Jacob M. Griffin, and Monica G. Turner.

These comments raise good points and are a healthy debate about the science findings.

As I have previously stated, the science is not definitive on these questions and more work is needed to reduce uncertainty.

We will continue to post new information as it becomes available.

Keep Smilin'
Tim Swedberg
JFSP Communication Director
Email:  tswedber@blm.gov

In Search of Answers

I hope you’ll read our recent Fire Science Digest on Bark Beetles.  Our intent with this publication was to present the differing views and uncertainty about fire management in beetle-killed forests. It’s not the final and definitive word on the subject by a long shot. 

We'll continue to make research investments in the complex relationships surrounding fire management in beetle-killed forests.  Our promise is to keep you supplied with the latest research on this and many other topics as new information becomes available.  While we're at it we'd like to point you to a few more resources and science perspectives:

Utah State University's excellent web page on bark beetles and fire.

Video from The University of Colorado - 

Colorado's Forests and the Pine Beetle Epidemic

Professor Jeff Mitton and researchers from the University of Colorado explain the connection between the unprecedented mountain pine beetles epidemic and climate change in Colorado.

Part of the series "Climate and Colorado's Future," produced by the Office of University Outreach at the University of Colorado Boulder, Sovereign Pictures, and Landlocked Films. 

           

And another batch of recent publications.... 

Fuels and Fire Behavior Dynamics in Bark Beetle-Attacked Forests in Western North America and Implications for Fire Management (pdf)

Jenkins, MJ, Page, WG, Hebertson, EG, Alexander, ME. 2012. Forest Ecology and Management. 275:23-34. (prepress version) 

Wildfire Provides Refuge from Local Extinction But is an Unlikely Driver of Outbreaks By Mountain Pine Beetle (pdf)

Powell,EN, Townsend, PA, Raffa, KF. 2012.  Ecological Monographs, 82(1):69-84

Do Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks Change the Probability of Active Crown Fire in Lodgepole Pine Forests? (pdf)

Simard, M, Romme, WH, Griffin, JM, Turner, MG. 2011. Ecological Monographs, 81(1):3-24

Let us know what you think of this offering by leaving your comment or send an email or give me a call. 

Keep smilin'

Tim Swedberg

Email: tswedber@blm.gov   

Office: (208) 387 - 5865

Twitter: @FirescienceGov

Visit us on Facebook

Why The Black Covers?

Fire History and Climate Change

When you see a Black Series publication from Firescience.Gov, you can be assured that we've assembled the most current fire science information on any given topic or issue.

Today, we offer managers the Fire History and Climate Change Synthesis. It should be on every fire or resource manager's bookshelf, or iPad, or hard drive. Our thanks to William T. Sommers, Stanley G. Coloff, and  Susan G. Conard, for writing this important publication. This work is the result of JFSP Project 09-2-01-09.

You can download the publication by individual chapter, or you can request a free CD.

Let us know what you think of this offering by leaving your comment below. 

Keep smilin'

Tim

Tim Swedberg
Communication Director
Joint Fire Science Program


Email: tswedber@blm.gov
Office: (208) 387 - 5865
Twitter:@FireScienceGOV
Visit us on Facebook
www.firescience.gov