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10-1-01-16
2010
06/01/2010
11/01/2013
Characterization of Masticated Fuelbeds and Fuel Treatment Effectiveness in Southeastern US Pine Ecosystems
There is little documentation of fuel treatment effectiveness in the southeastern (SE) US, and virtually none in southern wildland-urban-interface (WUI), although the legacy of treatments, particularly prescribed burning, is unparalleled. The majority of pinelands across the SE US Coastal Plain are characterized by short fire return intervals, ranging from 1-3 years for pine uplands, flatwoods, and sandhill communities. Whether wildfire risk is mitigated by mechanical fuel reduction techniques in these systems is closely tied to pre-treatment conditions and post-treatment prescribed fire use, but has not yet been tested. The SE Region, with an average of 2-3 million ha fuels treated annually, presents a compelling opportunity to quantify the effectiveness of mastication for reduction of potential wildfire behavior, and to explore additional ecological repercussions including those on vegetation composition and biomass. In particular, the extensive fuels reduction treatments planned for the WUI of Floridas National Forests should be evaluated to determine whether the risk reduction and ecosystem repercussions meet overall management objectives. We propose to characterize masticated fuelbeds in Floridas WUI pine flatwoods, as this forest type is widespread across the Coastal Plain and represents the most frequently fuels-treated vegetation in Floridas National and State Forests. Our study design compares four treatment scenarios: mastication alone, mastication plus prescribed fire, repeated mastication, and control, across two vegetation structures: mature forests burned within the last three years, and unburned mature pine forests. By characterizing treatment effects on vegetation, masticated fuels, and both actual and potential fire, we will examine not only treatment effectiveness, but assess how the unique features of masticated fuelbeds impact fire behavior and effects. Our quantification of vegetative biomass translocations and recovery will expand the impact of our research by providing data for future analyses of the carbon consequences and economic viability of these fuel treatments.
Leda N. Kobziar
University of Idaho
College of Natural Resources

Other Project Collaborators

Other Project Collaborators

Type

Name

Agency/Organization

Branch or Dept

Co-Principal Investigator

Alan J. Long

University of Florida

School of Forest Resources & Conservation

Co-Principal Investigator

Wayne C Zipperer

Forest Service

SRS-Ctr for Southern WUI Research & Information

Federal Cooperator

Carl J. Petrick

Forest Service

National Forests in Alabama

Federal Fiscal Representative

Shelly M. Gates

Forest Service

SRS-Southern Research Station

Student Investigator

Jesse K. Kreye

Pennsylvania State University

Ecosystem Science & Management

Project Locations

Project Locations

Fire Science Exchange Network

South

Level

State

Agency

Unit

STATE

FL

FS

Osceola National Forest

Final Report

Project Deliverables

Title
 
Efficacy and Ecological Effects of Mechanical Fuel Treatments in Pine Flatwoods Ecosystems of FloridView
Mechanical Fuels Reduction Treatments Effects on Fire Behavior, Fuel Loads, and Forest EcologyView
Forest Ecology and ManagementView
target journal: ForestsView
International Journal of Wildland FireView
Mechanical Mastication as a Fuels Treatment Method in Pine FlatwoodsView
Above and Below Ground Heating From the Burning of Masticated Palmetto-Gallberry Fuel BedsView
Overview: A Tour and Discussion of New Research Conducted at the Osceola National ForestView
Altered Fire Behavior & Effects Following Mastication in Pine Flatwoods EcosystemsView

Supporting Documents