Event Title
Effects of fire on cheatgrass distribution in North Cascades National Park
Description
The presence of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), a highly invasive grass species, has been documented in North Cascades National Park (NOCA). Studies show that disturbances such as fire increase the ability of cheatgrass to establish, expand, and create an invasive plant-fire regime cycle. It is imperative that the effects of fire on cheatgrass are better understood in conjunction with prescribed burning efforts in the park so that further invasion does not offset ecological benefits of fire. Preliminary data analysis from the 2006 Flick Creek Fire indicates that within the first year following the fire, cheatgrass expanded its range within burned areas. A comparative watershed analysis and statistical equation model will be used to examine data collected within the burn perimeter and adjacent areas, in addition to burn severity data. These analyses will help determine the effects of fire, burn severity, and other factors on cheatgrass invasion. Findings may enable park managers to better mitigate for impacts of fire on cheatgrass invasion.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Cheatgrass brome--Effect of fires on--Washington (State)--North Cascades National Park; Invasive plants--Washington (State)--North Cascades National Park
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Ecological Analysis and Restoration
Genre/Form
abstracts (summaries) (summaries)
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
North Cascades National Park (Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
cheatgrass, fire, invasive plant-fire regime cycle, prescribed burning
Effects of fire on cheatgrass distribution in North Cascades National Park
The presence of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), a highly invasive grass species, has been documented in North Cascades National Park (NOCA). Studies show that disturbances such as fire increase the ability of cheatgrass to establish, expand, and create an invasive plant-fire regime cycle. It is imperative that the effects of fire on cheatgrass are better understood in conjunction with prescribed burning efforts in the park so that further invasion does not offset ecological benefits of fire. Preliminary data analysis from the 2006 Flick Creek Fire indicates that within the first year following the fire, cheatgrass expanded its range within burned areas. A comparative watershed analysis and statistical equation model will be used to examine data collected within the burn perimeter and adjacent areas, in addition to burn severity data. These analyses will help determine the effects of fire, burn severity, and other factors on cheatgrass invasion. Findings may enable park managers to better mitigate for impacts of fire on cheatgrass invasion.