%0 Thesis %B School of Natural Resources %D 2007 %T Fire History and Fire Climate Relationships in Upper Elevation Forests of the Southwestern United States %A Margolis, Ellis Quinn %Y Swetnam, T. %K AMO %K climate %K dendrochronology %K dendroclimatology %K ENSO %K environment %K fire %K fire history %K forest %K madrean sky islands %K mogollon plateau %K mountain %K PDO %K southwest %K teleconnection %K tree ring %K upper elevation %K Watershed Management %X

Fire history and fire-climate relationships of upper elevation forests of the southwestern United States are imperative for informing management decisions in the face of increased crown fire occurrence and climate change. I used dendroecological techniques to reconstruct fires and stand-replacing fire patch size in Madrean Sky Islands and Mogollon Plateau. Reconstructed patch size (1685-1904) was compared with contemporary patch size (1996-2004). Reconstructed fires at three sites had stand-replacing patches totaling > 500 ha. No historical stand-replacing fire patches were evident in the mixed conifer/aspen forests of the Sky Islands. Maximum stand-replacing fire patch size of modern fires (1129 ha) was greater than that reconstructed from aspen (286 ha) and spruce-fir (521 ha). Updated spruce-fir patches may be evidence of larger (>2000ha) stand-replacing fire patches.

To provide climatological context for fire history I used correlation and regionalization analyses to document spatial and temporal variability in climate regions, and El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) teleconnections using 273 tree-ring chronologies (1732-1979). Four regions were determined by common variability in annual ring width. The component time score series replicate spatial variability in 20th century droughts (e.g., 1950’s) and pluvials (e.g., 1910’s). Two regions were significantly correlated with instrumental SOI and AMO, and three with PDO. Sub-regions within the southwestern U.S. varied geographically between the instrumental (1900-1979) and the pre-instrumental periods (1732-1899). Mapped correlations between ENSO, PDO and AMO, and tree-ring indices illustrate detailed sub-regional variability in teleconnections.

I analyzed climate teleconnections, and fire-climate relationships of historical upper elevation fires from 16 sites in 8 mountain ranges. I tested for links between Palmer Drought Severity Index and tree-ring reconstructed ENSO, PDO and AMO phases (1905-1978 and 1700-1904). Upper elevation fires (115 fires, 84 fire years, 1623-1904) were compared with climate indices. ENSO, PDO, and AMO affected regional PDSI, but AMO and PDO teleconnections changed between periods. Fire occurrence was significantly related to inter-annual variability in PDSI, precipitation, ENSO, and phase combinations of ENSO and PDO, but not AMO (1700-1904). Reduced upper elevation fire (1785-1840) was coincident with a cool AMO phase.

%B School of Natural Resources %I University of Arizona %C Tucson %V Ph.D %P 182 %G English %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1375523671&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD. %9 Dissertation %0 Thesis %B Geography and Regional Development %D 2003 %T Fire-Climate-Vegetation Interactions in Subalpine Forests of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area, Idaho and Montana, USA %A Kipfmueller, Kurt Foster %Y Swetnam, T. %K Geography %X The long term patterns of fire-climate interactions and forest recovery processes in subalpine forests are poorly understood. This study used a suite of dendrochronological techniques to identify tree growth-climate relationships, assess the interactions of fire with interannual climate variability, and reconstruct summer temperature in subalpine forests of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area on the border of Idaho and Montana, USA. Comparison of ring-width chronologies from whitebark pine ( Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) and subalpine larch ( Larix lyallii Parl.) with modern climate data indicated that summer temperatures were most limiting to growth in these conifers. Warm summers were generally conducive to radial growth. However, the temporal stability of the climate-tree growth relationship weakens from the early to later periods of the record. Alterations to growing season length, possibly modified by snow pack, may be related to the reduction in climate-growth relationships. A 748-year reconstruction of average summer temperature was developed that explains [approximate]36% of the variance of the instrumental record. Positive values of the coefficient of efficiency and reduction of error verification statistics indicated that the reconstruction was of good quality. Warm and cool periods in the reconstruction include a warm decade around the 1650s and prolonged cooling around 1700. Peaks in variance in reconstructed average summer temperature occurred at 87, 15, and 2 years. More than 2000 fire scar and age structure samples were used to evaluate fire-climate relationships. Comparison of widespread fire events to climate variables indicated dry conditions both during the fire year and one year before a fire. Multiple spatial patterns of drought and El Niño were related to widespread fire occurrence. Forest recovery following fires generally proceeds from lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta var. latifolia Dougl.) toward spruce-fir forests ( Picea engelmannii Parry- Abies lasiocarpa (Hook) Nutt.). Two successional pathways occur, one beginning with an initial lodgepole pine stage, the other a spruce-fir stage. Initial composition was related to the presence of overstory lodgepole pine at the time of fire occurrence as well as the intervals between successive fires. Collectively, these results suggest a strong multi-year drought linkage between climate and fire, and dependence on fire intervals for structuring forest communities. %B Geography and Regional Development %I University of Arizona %V PhD %G eng %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=765957031&sid=4&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %D 1998 %T Fire history and stand structure in the Huachuca Mountains of Southeastern Arizona %A Danzer, Shelley Rae %Y Swetnam, T. %X Historically, wildfires in mixed conifer forests of Southwestern sky islands were frequent events. Dendrochronological methods were used to reconstruct fire regimes and stand age structures in the Huachuca Mountains of Southeastern Arizona. Pre-settlement (i.e., before ca. 1870) fire intervals ranged from 4 to 10 years, with many fires spreading over the entire sample area. Stand age distributions show an increase in more shade-tolerant tree species. Although ponderosa pine is still the dominant overstory tree species, recent recruitment is predominantly southwestern white pine and Douglas-fir. Establishment of Ft. Huachuca in 1877 was a precursor to extensive use of timber, mineral, range and water resources in the Huachuca Mountains. The fire regime was altered at this time, with only one subsequent widespread surface fire recorded in 1899. Settlement era land-use practices may be responsible for changes in stand structure and composition. %I University of Arizona %V MS %G eng %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=738257621&sid=3&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %D 1998 %T Fire History in Riparian Canyon Pine-Oak Forests and the Intervening Desert Grasslands of the Southwest Borderlands: A Dendroecological, Historical, and Cultural Inquiry %A Kaib, J. Mark %Y Swetnam, T. %K apache %K borderland %K cultural %K dendrochronology %K dendroecological %K desert grassland %K ethnoecological %K fire %K fire history %K historical %K Mexico %K oak %K peacetime %K pine %K post settlement %K riparian %K southwest %K spanish %K wartime %K Watershed Management %X

Dendroecological, documentary, and ethnoecological evidence were combined to provide an integrated understanding of past natural and cultural fires in the Southwest Borderlands. Fire frequency for the desert grasslands was inferred from synchronous intercanyon fire events. Mean fire intervals range between 4-8 years in canyon pine-oak forests, 4-9 years in the intervening desert grasslands, and 5-9 years in the mixed-conifer forests. Riparian canyon pine-oak forests were important corridors for fire spread between the desert grasslands and higher-elevation forests. The decline of post-settlement (>1870s) fires typical of most forests in U.S., is not evident south of the border in Mexico.

Documentary evidence reveals the Apache had detailed knowledge of fire, that burning practices were controlled and limited, and ecosystem enhancement through intentional burning was not suggested. However, the common exception was burning practiced during wartime periods, principally by the Apache but also by the Spanish, Mexicans, and later Americans. Fire reconstructions indicate that wartime-period fires were significantly more frequent than peacetime periods at several canyon-rancherÍa sites.

%B School of Renewable Natural Resources %I University of Arizona %C Tucson %V MS %G eng %0 Thesis %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %D 1997 %T Fire Histories of Upper Elevation Forests in the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico via Fire Scar and Stand Age Structure Analyses %A Abolt,Rena Ann Peck %Y Swetnam, T. %K dendrochronology %K fire %K fire regime %K fire scar %K gila wilderness %K new mexico %K stand age %K suppression %K tree ring %K upper elevation %X

 

Fire-scar analysis to identify fire events and stand age structure analysis to identify fire effects on survivorship of trees were used to reconstruct surface and crown fire regimes in upper elevation forests of the Gila Wilderness, NM. Fire regimes varied across forest type, but not necessarily across elevation. Prior to the twentieth century, (from 1706 to 1904), the mean interval for large fires was 8 years. During the twentieth century, (from 1904 to 1995), the mean fire return interval for large fires was 46 years. The virtual end of historically frequent fire regimes due to livestock grazing and fire suppression since the turn of the century has affected successional pathways of forest types across elevations, favoring later successional forest species and structures.

%B School of Renewable Natural Resources %I University of Arizona %C Tucson %V Master of Science %P 120 %G English %0 Thesis %D 1994 %T Fire effects and vegetation response in a Madrean oak woodland, southeastern Arizona %A Anthony Caprio %X Following a June wildfire on the south slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains, vegetation was sampled to determine how composition, and fine fuels were affected. Spring and fall samples were taken in burned and unburned plots at three sites on south, east and north aspects. Twenty-one common species were selected for intensive analysis. Burning caused compositional changes with the most significant occurring on the north slope. Woody species and Selaginella were reduced while herbaceous species recovered rapidly. Total cover was generally greater in burned than unburned areas by 2$1\over2$ yr postfire. Recovery was rapid on south slopes dominated by herbaceous perennials and slower on north slopes dominated by woody species and Selaginella preburn. Oaks resprouted well after being topkilled, with Quercus oblongifolia more resistant than Q. emoryi to fire injury. Total herbaceous and litter biomass varied between 272-622 g$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$ at unburned and 253-370 g$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$ at burned sites 2$1\over2$ yr postfire. %I University of Arizona %V M.S. %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=743230371&sid=55&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %D 1990 %T Forest structure and succession over a ten year period in six undisturbed South Florida plant communities %A Jean McCollom %X Data were collected on woody vegetation for 10 years in 6 undisturbed plant communities including slash pine forest, wet prairie, hardwood hammock, edge and interior old-growth cypress forests, and freshwater marsh at National Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sancturary in South Florida. Forested communities all showed a trend toward greater successional maturity. Numbers and total basal areas generally decreased over the 10 year period for early successional species and tropical species affected by the 1982 freeze in hammock and edge cypress communities. Otherwise, total basal areas steadily increased for all species in the forested communities. Initially the slash pine forest contained only canopy pine, but hardwoods entered the sites 3-4 years after fire and continued to increase in number throughout the study. Woody vegetation in the two marsh communities were less stable, partially due to fire. Fire and hydrologic conditions had measureable impacts on community structure and growth patterns. %I University of Arizona %V M.S. %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=747620471&sid=8&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %D 1987 %T The Feasibility of Using Tree-Ring Chronologies to Reconstruct Streamflow Records for the Pemigewasset River, New Hampshire %A Schrager, Gene %K Hydrology %I University of New Hampshire %V MS %G eng %0 Thesis %D 1984 %T Fire Regime of the Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana) Forests of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness, California %A Paul Sheppard %K california %K coring %K dendrochronology %K fire %K fire management %K fire scar %K Limber pine %K lodgepole %K mt san jacinto %K mt san jacinto state park wilderness %K pine %K pinus contortata %K regime %K suppression %K tree ring %K var murrayana %K wedging %K white fir %X

For the purpose of providing recommendations for the fire management plan of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness, California, the natural fire regime of the lodgepole pine forests within the wilderness was determined. Fire-scarred lodgepole pine trees were cored, and their growth rings crossdated against a composite ring series, to obtain fire date estimates of fires that have burned within the forests during the last 300 years. U.S. Forest Service fire records and personal accounts were also used to determine recent fire history.

Results indicate that the fires within the lodgepole pine forests of Mt. San Jacinto probably were quite small (< 0.4 ha). Because of this, the fire regime is probably one of low-intensity fires. Fires started principally by lightning and they generally did not spread far because of low woody fuel loading on the ground. These small fires, however, occurred quite frequently throughout the lodgepole pine forests. Fires probably burned every one to two years, and in many years, more than one fire burned. The average fire return interval for separate locations within the lodgepole pine forests was not determined exactly because most of the burned trees had only one fire-scar.

The effects of this fire-regime on the forest vegetation composition was determined. This was accomplished with multiple regression analyses of vegetative and physiographic data collected from the area of each verified fire.

In the 2500 to 2900 m elevation range, white fir generally increased in importance (relative basal area) over lodgepole pine as years since the fire increased. However, the relationships of lodgepole pine and white fir importances to the time since the fire were not statistically significant. Above 2800 m elevation, neither lodgepole pine nor limber pine importance was affected by the fire regime. Throughout the lodgepole pine forests of this wilderness area, the fire regime has not greatly affected the forest vegetation composition.

To compare two methods of obtaining fire year estimates from living, fire-scarred trees, both wedging and coring was done on ten fire-scarred lodgepole pine trees. The rings of the wedges and cores were then crossdated against a composite ring series, and the respective fire year estimates of each method were compared for each tree. Seven pairs of wedges and cores were crossdated, and each pair gave the same fire year estimate for the respective tree. In the situation of single-scarred trees, the coring method, along with dendrochronology dating, should be attempted instead of wedging, which is more destructive to the tree than coring.

Based on this study, I recommend that the fire management plan for the lodgepole pine forests of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness contain two options for fire control. First, in areas that have heavy use by recreationists and cultural or historical benefits, fire suppression should begin immediately after a fire has been detected. Second, in all other areas, a “let burn” policy should be attempted, whereby the fire would be allowed to die out on its own. This would save the expense of fire suppression, which can be very costly in remote wilderness areas. These fires should be monitored in case they do burn near valuable areas. Prescribed burning is not recommended because of the weak relationship of the fire regime to the forest vegetation composition.

%I Cornell University %C Ithaca %V Master of Science %P 93 %8 08/1984 %G English %0 Thesis %B Department of Renewable Natural Resources %D 1983 %T Fire History of the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico %A Swetnam, T. %K crossdate %K dendrochronology %K fire %K fire history %K fire scar %K gila national forest %K gila wilderness %K new mexico %K pinus ponderosa %K ponderosa pine %K tree ring %X

A data base of fire occurrence was established for the Gila Wilderness by analyzing fire scars and compiling fire records. Cross sections of 44 fire scarred ponderosa pine trees (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) were collected from three study areas. Crossdating of more than 800 individual fire scars revealed that extensive surface fires were a common occurrence prior to 1900. Mean fire intervals for a 250-year period prior to 1900 were approximately four to eight years and fire intervals ranged from one to 26 years. Intensive grazing and fire suppression efforts after 1900 resulted in a sudden decrease in number of fires recorded by the sample trees.

A 72-year record (1909-1980) of fire occurrence in the Gila National Forest was compiled from Forest Service records. The fire records and fire scar evidence suggest a need for continued emphasis on fuels reduction and greater flexibility in the Prescribed Natural Fire program.

%B Department of Renewable Natural Resources %I University of Arizona %C Tucson %V Master of Science %P 156 %G English %0 Thesis %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %D 1980 %T Feasibility of Using Tree-Ring Chronologies to Augment Hydrologic Records in Tasmania, Australia %A Campbell, Desnee Anne %X Monthly streamflow records from 8 gauging stations in western Tasmania seasonalized to include either the 5 months, November through March, or the 12 months, April through March, were used as predictands is a series of multiple linear regressions. The predictors were tree-ring eigenvector amplitudes derived from 11 chronologies, representing 4 species, from sites all over the state. Tree-ring widths in both the current and following years were significant in predicating runoff for the November-March period but not for the longer season.Canonical correlations and regressions calculated between the set of 8 runoff records and he set of 11 tree-ring chronologies accounted for 47% of the variance of the 5-month streamflow during the 1958-1973 calibration period. Estimates of seasonalized summer runoff back though 1776 at 8 gauging stations were obtained by applying canonical regression equations to the 198-year tree-ring record. Three of the reconstructed series were verified using runoff data recorded for at least 8 years outside the calibration period.The results of this first attempt to employ tree-ring chronologies to extend streamflow records in Tasmania show promise for more widespread future applications of the technique. %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %I University of Arizona %V MS %G eng %0 Journal Article %J AMBIO %D 1977 %T Freshwater Fish-A Global Food Potential %A Gerking, Shelby D. %K acidification %K environment %K eutrophication %K fish %K food %K freshwater %K global food production %K industrial waste %K limiting factors %K pollution %B AMBIO %0 Thesis %B Hydrology and Water Resources %D 1971 %T The Feasibility of Augmenting Hydrologic Records using Tree-Ring Data %A Stockton, C. %Y Fritts, H. %K Hydrology %X

Two catchments of diverse hydrologic character were chosen in which to test the hypothesis that tree-ring indices contain information about runoff that is of pertinent interest to the hydrologist…[Bright Angel Creek basin, Arizona and Upper San Francisco River basin, Arizona/New Mexico]

%B Hydrology and Water Resources %I University of Arizona %V PhD %G eng %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=760166291&sid=14&Fmt=1&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Journal Article %J Abdruck aus den Astr. Nachr. Bd. 146. %D 1898 %T The First Satellite of Jupiter %A Douglass, A.E. %K astronomy %K Douglass %K historic %K jupiter %K satellite %B Abdruck aus den Astr. Nachr. Bd. 146. %0 Magazine Article %D 1894 %T Forms of Jupiter's Satellites %A Douglass, A.E. %K astronomy %K Douglass %K jupiter %K satellites %B Popular Astronomy %0 Generic %D 0 %T Forest Damage by Distantly Transported Air Pollution %K air pollution %K damage %K environment %K forest %K transported