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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #292123
Title: A Review of Fire Effects on Vegetation and Soils in the Great Basin Region: Response and Ecological Site Characteristics

Author
item MILLER, RICHARD - Oregon State University
item CHAMBERS, JEANNE - Us Forest Service (FS)
item PYKE, DAVID - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item Pierson Jr, Frederick
item Williams, Christopher - Jason

Submitted to: Government Publication/Report
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/26/2013
Publication Date: 11/26/2013
Citation: Miller, R. F.; Chambers, J. C.; Pyke, D. A.; Pierson, F. B.; Williams, C. J. 2013. A Review of Fire Effects on Vegetation and Soils in the Great Basin Region: Response and Ecological Site Characteristics. General Technical Report, RMRS-GTR-308. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This review summarizes the state of our knowledge on fire effects on plants and soils in semi-arid ecosystems in the Great Basin Region, including the Columbia River and Snake River basins. It identifies what we know and don’t know and the key components that influence how plants, communities, and soils respond to fire and fire surrogate treatments. It addresses key questions related to environmental gradients and site characteristics that determine potential recovery (resilience) and vulnerability (resistance) to invasive species. The review includes plant community and individual species response, biological soil crusts, fire severity, post-fire grazing, seed-banks, soil nutrients, and hydrology.