Sierra Nevada
Geographic area and background
We are planning field trips and webinars as well as growing our list of publication briefs. If you have questions or suggestions regarding the CFSC-SN activities, please contact the team leader Hugh Safford (contact information to below).
The CFSC-SN is responsible for the entirety of its namesake mountain range from the San Emigdio and Tehachapi Mountains at the extreme south to the range’s northern limit near Lake Almanor and the Plumas National Forest-Lassen National Forest boundary. Areas further to the north are the responsibility of the CFSC's Northern California Region.
The activities of the CFSC-SN are implemented by a team of personnel from the US Forest Service and the University of California, led by Hugh Safford (USFS). The team’s efforts are directed, in large part, by the CFSC-SN advisory committee – a group of 16 individuals who represent across-section of the Sierra Nevada’s wildland fire expertise including researchers, line officers, and outreach specialists belonging to federal, state, and non-governmental organizations throughout the region. The advisory committee meets regularly throughout the year, either by phone or in-person, with the exception of the peak fire season.
Need to reach someone?
Sierra Nevada Coordinator
Research Assistant Professor
Sierra Nevada Coordinator
University of Nevada - Reno
Sierra Nevada Program Lead
Chief Scientist | Vibrant Planet
Affiliate Faculty | University of California-Davis
hdsafford@ucdavis.edu
Advisory Board Member/Sierra Nevada Regional contact
Natural Resources Advisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin
UC Cooperative Extension
South Lake Tahoe, CA
sdkocher@ucdavis.edu
Upcoming Events Related to Sierra Nevada
If blank, there are currently no upcoming events for this region.
Sierra Nevada Research Briefs & Synthesis
This study analyzes tree death in Yosemite National Park and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park following the 2012-2016 drought.
This study investigates whether wildfire enables the upslope migration of upper montane conifers into the current range of subalpine conifers in the Sierra Nevada, California.
Researchers from Michigan State University and the USFS Fire Behavior Assessment Team used 15 years of immediate pre- and post-fire fuel and wildfire behavior data to identify the role of fire advancement mode and pre-fire environmental drivers (e.g., topography, fire weather, and fuel loadings) on fuel consumption and fire effects in California mixed-conifer forests.
In California’s dry mixed conifer forests, increasingly large high severity wildfires threaten to convert significant areas of forested land into shrub dominated landscapes in the absence of active reforestation, including control of competing vegetation. Previous studies have found that salvage logging and other methods used to prepare a site for reforestation may reduce shrub cover after wildfire. This study investigated the effect of masticated fuel depth on shrub growth where salvage logging and mastication followed high severity wildfire.
This study uses tree cores gathered at three 4-hectare plots to make inferences about temporal aspects of tree recruitment in pine-dominated ecosystems of the California Sierra Nevada and the Sierra San Petro Martir in northwestern Mexico.
In this paper, the authors quantify change in the extent of mature conifer forests in the southern Sierra Nevada of California during 2011-2020, a decade and ecoregion characterized by compounding severe wildfires and drought follow prolonged fire exclusion.
This study uses bio-acoustical monitoring to characterize the habitat of mountain quail in the California Sierra Nevada. Findings include that high severity wildfires may promote vegetation structures that are beneficial for mountain quail.
This study leveraged data collected from 20-year-old forest monitoring plots within fuel treatment units that captured a range of wildfire occurrence (i.e., not burned, burned once, or burned twice) following application of initial thinning treatments and prescribed fire.
A new paper by USGS and partners investigated why some California wildfires are destructive and others are not.
This synthesis summaries a set of papers the explore the relationship between landscape-level forest resilience and disturbance regimes and provides strategies for the effective forest management of Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forests
In recent decades white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetle, and fire have increased in extent and caused tree mortality across the western USA. This study used long-term monitoring plots to determine mortality of four white pine species in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
A recent paper by Scott Stephens and co-authors asserts that conservation of western forests is still possible, and describes sensible, evidence-based strategies to improve forest ecosystem resilience.
Understanding post-fire tree mortality is important for planning restoration fire treatments that modify fire behavior and effects and models that reflect multiple spatial and temporal scales are effective tools.
Do fuel reduction treatments result in restored conditions that align with those found in historically frequent-fire forests of the west? A recent paper sets out to answer that question by examining the principles behind fuel reduction and forest restoration projects and identifying situations where the two approaches align and where they may diverge.
The study used models to predict fire behavior differences according to two primary factors: mid-story density (i.e. the ladder fuel layer) and live fuel moisture. This is relevant for prescribed burns because both of these factors can be modified when conducting burns.
This article uses field data from two wildfires (the 2015 Rough Fire and 2016 Cedar Fire) that burned in areas of recent severe tree mortality to examine whether and under what conditions the pre-fire tree mortality affected wildfire severity.
This study compares the costs of prescribed fire and thinning treatments while putting treatment costs in the context of treatment effectiveness.
Restoration of landscapes affected by uncharacteristically large and severe wildfires in California requires a science-based framework to address a complexity of issues and concerns. The authors describe a set of ecological restoration principles, a landscape assessment process, and a framework for decision-making to plan and implement restoration projects.
This study uses historical patterns of burn windows to predict burn window likelihood to inform prescribed burning planning and budgeting.
This synthesis summarizes six papers that use a variety of methods to reconstruct the historic forest structure and composition of the mixed-conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada.
Employing a robust before-after-control-impact (BACI) study design, researchers assessed how thinning in forests altered forest structural conditions in the short- and longer-term in the Sierra Nevada.
This study compares post-drought forests to historical forests to understand if the recent tree mortality event shifted forests closer to or further from resilient conditions.
Photo credit: Historic conditions in a ponderosa pine stand circa 1917. Source: Sierra National Forest Photo HP0313
Given the changing disturbance regimes and climate, there is a critical need to take decisive and extensive actions in the next 1-2 decades to conserve Sierra Nevada forests. This synthesis provides a summary of how climate change and fire are impacting our Sierra Nevada Mixed Conifer forests and how active management can help mitigate some of these impacts.
In this study, researchers examined the effects of backburning operations in a heavily stocked ponderosa pine plantation during the 2012 Mill Fire.
The SSPM can help guide management decisions in mixed conifer/ yellow pine forests of the western US/ California that wish to return forests to historical (pre-European) conditions or prepare them for a changing climate and an uncertain future.
Plants often have characteristics that make them well suited to the common type, frequency, and/or severity of disturbance in ecosystems where they occur. Plant species richness was found to be affected by historical fire regime and severity in coniferous forests of the Western US.
This synthesis summarizes the findings from four different research articles which explore different aspects of how the fire history of the Illilouette Creek Basin in Yosemite National Park has affected its water resources.
This synthesis draws recommendations from four studies that are relevant to prescribed burning as a fuels reduction method in young stands. Most studies also looked at potential effects of mastication as a fuels treatment in comparison to prescribed burning.
This Overview Article summarizes research relevant to understanding short- and longer-term effects of massive tree mortality in what were historically frequent fire forests of California, presents results on fire severity from a recent wildfire that burned through severe tree mortality, and makes management recommendations for reducing future tree mortality and increasing forest resilience and adaptation to climate change.
This paper compares tree mortality patterns in treated (thinned and/or burned) forested stands to untreated stands and how these treatments affect forest response to drought.
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Past Events and Webinars
For the fourth talk of the 2024 FFERAL lecture series, Dr. Crystal Kolden will discuss lessons learned from ecology that can be applied more broadly to socioecological systems to increase fire resilience across complex systems.
For the second talk of the 2024 FFERAL lecture series, Dr. Malcolm North will discuss tree spatial patterns and linkages to forest resilience.
For the second talk of the 2024 FFERAL lecture series, Dr. Scott Stephens will share results from a 20-year forest restoration study of prescribed fire and mechanical treatments in the northern Sierra Nevada.
This webinar will focus on satellite-based and field-based fire severity metrics: which ones work best, where, and when?
For the inaugural talk of the 2024 FFERAL lecture series, Dr. Sarah Bisbing will present the experimental design and initial post-treatment results from the Adaptive Management Experiment (AMEX), a multi-year, multi-location empirical test of silvicultural approaches to forest resilience in a changing climate.
This event will include workshops, field trips, and 3 full days of presentations, discussion groups, and networking opportunities around the theme, “Igniting Connections: Celebrating our fire family across generations, cultures, and disciplines.”
For more information and to register, visit https://afefirecongress.org/
The International Association of Wildland Fire is presenting the workshop in partnership with the Wildfire Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) and the Western, Southeast, and Northeast Regional Strategy Committees.
The Cohesive Strategy remains the solid framework by which to address and identify solutions for today’s complex wildland fire issues. In providing the pathway to change the negative trajectory of wildland fire, the Cohesive Strategy continues to evolve to meet the current and future challenges facing federal, tribal, state, local, and nongovernmental stakeholders.
The National Workshops were conceived to help stakeholders understand the Cohesive Strategy and see themselves as part of the solutions to wildland fire issues across the nation. The Workshops helped to build and strengthen relationships, support Cohesive Strategy activities, and facilitate Cohesive Strategy implementation.
Coastal Quest, in partnership with Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative, is proud to present the first California Wildfire Conference. This three-day exchange will bring together a diverse community of wildfire practitioners to focus on understanding, preventing, and recovering from wildfires.
For more information and to register, visit:
https://coastal-quest.idloom.events/californiawildfireconference
This workshop series will help landowners develop plans to improve and protect their forest lands in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner. The workshops will address management objectives and planning, forest restoration, fuels reduction, project development, permitting, and cost-share opportunities. Participants will connect with other landowners and learn how to collect information to develop their own management plans.
Presentations
Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 2014.
This presentation discusses the active management restoration projects for Aspen in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Issues of resilience, implementation strategies, and multiple resource benefits are highlighted.
Presenter: Dave Fournier
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Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 2014.
The 5 objectives of this presentation are:
1. Provide a brief overview of aspen fire ecology 2. Discuss methods to understand reconstruct fire regimes 3. Synthesize existing research literature that pertains to estimating aspen fire regimes in the Mountain West (U.S.) 4. Suggest a conceptual classification framework for aspen fire regimes in the Mountain West 5. Identify key knowledge gaps and research needs (incl. climate change)
Presenter: Douglas Shinneman
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Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 2014.
Presenter: Shana Gross
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Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 2014.
Presenter Joy Barney is the Conservation Education Program Specialist for the Lake Tahoe Basin Mgmt Unit. In this presentation, she discusses the diverse education programs done through unit and key points for running a successful education program.
Presenter: Joy Barney
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Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 2014.
Presenter: Silver Hartman
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This is a presentation from the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop in 2015. This study's findings support notion that heavier thinning favors aspen/plants and longer treatment persistence but cut conifer fuel load becomes excessive.
Presenter: Pascal Berrill/ Christa M. Dagley
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This is a presentation from the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop in 2015. The Western Aspen Alliance's mission is to "facilitate cooperative research and disseminate state-of-the-science aspen information." This mission and the activities of this organization are discussed.
Presenter: Bobbette Jones
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This is a presentation from the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop in 2015.The process of past restoration efforts and the lessons learned from these projects are discussed.
Presenter: Tina Mark
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This is a presentation from the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop in 2015. The presentation is a remembrance of David Burton and his many contributions to the field.
Presenter: Hugh Safford
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This is a presentation from the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop in 2015. The summary of this presentation is that pure, mature aspen are best for avian species richness and abundance. Specific characteristics of aspen stands that benefit avian species are also discussed.
Presenter: Will Richardson
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This is a presentation from the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop in 2015.
The presentation discusses the previous, current, and future predictions of aspen in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades.
Presenter: Becky Estes
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This is a presentation from the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop in 2015.
The consequences of climate change for quaking aspen are likely to be complex and contingent on effects of post-disturbance climate as well as on feedbacks among climate, disturbances, and forest composition.
Presenter: Dominik Kulakowski
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Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA. 2014.
Results from a study completed on the Almanor and Eagle Lake Ranger Districts that compared pre-and-post treatment bird utilization of the tested stands. Methods, photos, and management implications are also discussed.
Presenter: Ryan Burnett
Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA. 2014.
Gives a quick overview of our aspen restoration program on Sierraville Ranger District and the Tahoe N.F. Discusses challenges, past activities, and future plans.
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Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 2014.
New perspectives on aspen in the western US: phylogeography, regeneration ecology, and triploidy.
Presenter: Karen Mock, et al.
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Presented at the Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe, CA.
2015 Aspen Restoration and Ecology Workshop, South Lake Tahoe.
The presentations included topics from restoration, fire recovery, climate change, birds, and even genetics all related to Aspen Ecology.
Other Resources
This is a list of the 22 most useful scientific publications for understanding the ecology and management of fire and fuels in the Sierra Nevada region, as identified by the CFSC-SN and its advisory committee.
