JFSP_research_product_search

Project ID:

24-3-01-4

Year:

2024

Date Started:

10/01/2024

Date Completed:

Title:

Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists

Project Proposal Abstract:

Problem Statement. After a century of fire suppression, Appalachian forests are exhibiting undesirable changes that include mesophication, decreased oak and pine regeneration, increased fuel loadings, and declines of animal and plant species adapted to conditions promoted by periodic fire. In the last 20 years, managers have increased the use of prescribed fire to restore more desirable conditions. Fire science has also advanced significantly. However, the rugged terrain of the region creates complex burning conditions and often unpredictable fire behavior and effects. Managers rely on accessible fire science to improve outcomes on the ground, through increased knowledge and decision support tools. Scientists rely on land managers to identify emerging research needs relevant to management. Timely sharing of new knowledge between these communities is essential to improve prescribed fire outcomes. Improved fire science delivery to the general public is also imperative to gain public acceptance of fire management. This project will build on previous efforts by partnering on products and activities geared to these end-user communities.

Objectives. Our primary objective is to produce products and activities that will increase and accelerate the flow of fire science and management information between scientists and managers in the region. Prescribed fire is the most effective and efficient tool that managers can apply to attempt to reverse the negative impacts of fire suppression. However, desired conditions of forest structure and composition are often not obtained with prescribed fire in the short- to medium-term. Improved fire science exchange between managers and researchers will improve outcomes on the ground and identify emerging research needs. During this period we will provide online resources to members, including a more comprehensive Appalachian fire science literature database, a modernization of the Encyclopedia of Southern Fire Science, and a repository of fire effects monitoring data. We will also partner to host in-person knowledge exchange events, including the 8th Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference, the Mountains to Sea Duff Fire Workshop Series, and annual workshops of the Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network. We will also expand the network of Fire Learning Trail sites, focused on science delivery to the general public. In addition, we will provide science delivery to workforce trainings, including the 4th Southern Blue Ridge TREX (Prescribed Fire Training Exchange).

Benefits. Federal and State fire practitioners and natural resource managers are the primary end-users for the proposed fire science exchange activities. These professionals are tasked with ensuring that landscapes are resilient to disturbance and climate change, and provide multiple benefits to the public, including timber and non-timber forest products, hunting and fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, recreation, and fostering clean water. The proposed science delivery products and events will increase end-user knowledge of fire ecology and fire management strategies while also fostering professional relationships. Together, increased knowledge and stronger partnerships can improve fire management practices, thus improving forest conditions and limiting the threat of catastrophic wildfires for the publics benefit. For example, sustaining oak-dominated and pine-oak forests and woodlands with prescribed fire and other tools will benefit local economies (forest products) and provide high-quality wildlife habitat (viewing, hunting, T&E species), while also increasing resiliency to climate change, as upland oaks and pines are tolerant to drought and warming temperatures. An additional benefit will be to increase the general publics knowledge of fires role in the Appalachians, promoting greater acceptance of fire management practices.

Principal Investigator:

Thomas A. Coates

Agency/Organization:

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Branch or Dept:

Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Agreements Contact	Sandra N Krzewinski	Forest Service	SRS-Southern Research Station
Budget Contact	Alla McGraw	Forest Service	SRS-Southern Research Station
Co-Principal Investigator	Donald L. Hagan	Clemson University	Department of Forestry & Natural Resources
Co-Principal Investigator	Jean H Lorber	The Nature Conservancy	VA-Virginia Field Office
Co-Principal Investigator	Lindsey Hosier	Clemson University	Comptrollers Office
Funding Cooperator	Joseph J. O’Brien	Forest Service	SRS-Ctr for Forest Disturbance Science