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Experimental restoration treatments for burn pile fire scars in conifer forests of the Front Range, Colorado

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dc.contributor.authorShanklin, Amber, author
dc.contributor.authorPaschke, Mark, advisor
dc.contributor.authorRhoades, Charles, advisor
dc.contributor.authorStromberger, Mary, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T06:40:54Z
dc.date.available2015-06-30T05:57:00Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractDrastic changes in soil physical, chemical, and biotic properties following slash pile burning and their lasting effects on vegetation cover have been well documented in ecosystems worldwide. However, processes that inhibit burn scar recovery are poorly understood as are the means for their rehabilitation. This study compared plant and soil responses to a number of surface treatments designed to alter microclimate, moisture infiltration, and nutrient status of recently burned slash piles along the Front Range of Colorado. Hand-applied surface manipulation treatments including: scarification, woodchip mulch, and tree branch mulch were compared with untreated burn scars, both with and without addition of a native species seed mix at 19 sites. Pile burning effects were observed by comparing fire scar centers with unburned reference areas while restoration treatment effectiveness was observed by comparing treated scar centers with untreated scar centers. I found surface manipulations had little effect on vegetation recovery while seeding scars increased total plant biomass significantly. Woodchip mulch consistently increased soil moisture, decreased inorganic nitrogen availability, and inhibited plant regrowth in scars. Branch mulch and soil scarification showed no effect on plant regrowth and little effect on soil physical and chemical properties. Non-native species did not have a significant presence within slash scars and were no more prevalent in fire scar centers than reference conditions (unburned areas). Recommendations based upon results of this study include seeding native species in fire scars to promote native species reestablishment.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierShanklin_colostate_0053N_12274.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/82570
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectrestoration
dc.subjectfire scar
dc.subjectslash piles
dc.titleExperimental restoration treatments for burn pile fire scars in conifer forests of the Front Range, Colorado
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2015-06-30
dcterms.embargo.terms2015-06-30
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineEcology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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