Revisiting Fire History Studies One of the cornerstones of current forest policy is the assumption that western forests are outside of their “normal” density and appearance or what is termed […]
Wildfire season well underway in the West
Black Forest Colorado fire destroys almost 400 homes- – – – – – – Update: On June 20 the Black Forest fire was contained after 500 houses had burned. RM […]
Challenging the Standard Paradigm for Fires
I’ve been studying fire ecology for decades, an interest which led to the publication in 2006 of my book WIldfire: A Century of Failed Forest Policy. My interest in wildfire […]
Study: Forests absorb much more greenhouse gas than previously known
Another surprise. The real carbon absorbers are the temperate and boreal forests. Tropical forests are too compromised by humans- One of the best things that could happen to the future […]
U.S. government will add whitebark pine to endangered species list
Critical high altitude pine has been nearly wiped out by beetles, fire, blister rust- These trees with fat rich nuts are already getting federal government attention, but mortality is even […]
The other end of the tar sands monstrosity. The Keystone Pipeline
Canadian tar sands are not just about turning Alberta’s boreal forest into a wasteland. Transport of the product has many dangers, ill-effects. ____________ They haul their giant equipment around the […]
Pacific salmon run helps shape Canada’s ecosystems
Predators help disperse salmon, nutrient on streambanks This article describes the results of a study suggesting another “trophic cascade” mechanism by which predators and salmon interact, enriching the diversity of plant-life […]
Climate Change Takes Toll on Lodgepole Pine
The most abundant of all Western pine falls at astounding rate- Every Western pine from the Yukon to New Mexico is suffering high mortality from unusually severe attack by native […]