Wilderness Area

Collaborative Research
My dissertation research is a portion of a larger study investigating fire-climate-vegetation interactions across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Andrea Brunelle-Daines and Dr. Cathy Whitlock at the University of Oregon are working concurrently on palynological samples collected from the four lakes within the study basins. They are examining changes in charcoal and species abundance at longer time scales that will be calibrated using my tree-ring record of fire and climate change. A recent dissertation has also been completed by Matthew Rollins examining the spatial aspects of fire occurrence in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area. A systematic grid sampling design was used in this study to collect forest structural data throughout the four lake basins. This data may help to determine the extent of historic fires based on fire-scar dates and age structure information collected as part of my research.
Progress To Date
ØFour lake basins have been sampled for fire history and age structure information.
§Basal area, stem density, and quadratic dbh has been summarized for the 23 transects sampled. Additionally, this data has been summarized by species and canopy position.
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