Fire Research » Fire Ecology & Fire Effects

Fire Ecology and Fire Effects

Ecosystem Restoration Using Prescribed Fire in Montane Ecosystems in Jasper National Park

Introduction

Montane ecosystems within Jasper National Park, Alberta, have historically been dominated by fire. Fire-exclusion policies have removed the influence of fire throughout much of the park since the early part of the 20th century, and, as a result, some naturally occurring ecosystems are becoming less abundant across the landscape. This research focuses on two montane ecosystems located north of the Jasper town-site along the Athabasca River valley and makes use of Jasper National Park's prescribed burning program to reintroduce fire into these areas.

The montane lodgepole pine–grassland ecosystem is a relatively open-forest type community. In the absence of fire disturbance it has gradually become more densely populated with uneven-aged pine. In addition, exceptionally high populations of elk (Cervus elaphus) within the park boundaries entail increased habitat use and a potentially unnatural influence on associated plant communities.

The Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) ecosystem is also typically an open-forest type community, maintained by relatively short fire intervals of low fire intensity. This type of fire regime tends to kill smaller stems, while allowing larger stems to survive. Since fire has been excluded, this ecosystem has developed high stem densities and has more recently suffered from Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopk.) infestations.

This research focuses on quantifying these relationships and developing restoration protocols through the use of prescribed fire in the montane lodgepole pine–grassland and Douglas-fir ecosystems. More specifically, the research has the following objectives:

• To determine the impact of fire on the ecosystems.
• To determine the impact of elk browsing on the lodgepole pine–grassland ecosystem.
• To determine the interaction between fire and elk browsing in the lodgepole pine–grassland ecosystem.
• To use prescribed fire to reduce the stem density of Douglas-fir in the Douglas-fir ecosystem.
• To determine the interaction between fire and Douglas-fir beetle in the Douglas-fir ecosystem.
  

Jackladder I Unit

Lodgepole pine–grassland

The Jackladder I unit was sampled in 1998, burned in May 1999, and resampled in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Sampling efforts collected data on fuel loading; tree, shrub, and herb inventories; and elk pellet counts. These data were collected in both fenced exclosures and nonfenced areas. Fire in the Jackladder I unit was a low-intensity surface fire, although some individual trees did become fully engulfed in flames. In areas of open-canopy forest, most trees were killed. In areas of closed-canopy fire, approximately half of the trees were killed. Juniper was easily killed by fire and has not re-established on the site to date; buffaloberry was also easily killed but has effectively re-established on the site. Forb diversity quickly returned to prefire levels in the year following the burn. Forb and grass, at various stages of curing, recovered quickly as well.

Jackladder II Unit
Lodgepole pine–grassland

The Jackladder II unit was sampled in 1998 and 2000, burned in 2001, and resampled in 2001. Sampling efforts collected the same data as were collected in the Jackladder I unit. Fire intensity in the Jackladder II unit was high, and practically all trees were fully engulfed in flames. In all areas, tree mortality was 100%. Sampling performed in 2001 primarily focused on estimates of fire intensity, and further sampling in 2002 will quantify fire effects on trees, shrubs, ground vegetation, and habitat use.

Hawk Mountain Units
Douglas-fir

The Hawk Mountain units were sampled in 2001, and are tentatively scheduled for burning in spring 2003. Intensive sampling throughout the units collected data on fuels, tree inventories, shrub densities, and Douglas-fir beetle activity. To date, the data have been used for development of the fire prescription and will be used for estimating the impact of fire following disturbance.

Acknowledgments

Funding and support of this work have been provided by the Canadian Forest Service (Northern Forestry Centre), Parks Canada (Jasper National Parks), and the Foothills Model Forest.

Request for further information and questions related to this work or the Canadian Forest Service prescribed fire program can be directed to Pete.Bothwell@nrcan.gc.ca