Analysis of Forest Biomass Removal on Biodiversity

Analysis of Forest Biomass Removal on Biodiversity

The objectives of this study are to determine the effects of different types and extents of fuel reduction treatments in conifer forests on the vertebrate biological diversity with emphasis on conifer forests most often the focus of fuels reduction treatments. The desired outcome of this study is the ability to reliably predict the effect of different types and extents of treatments in conifer forests on various measures of biological diversity. Fuels reduction treatments can consists of a range of types and combinations of treatments, including different starting conditions (tree sizes and densities, fuels volumes by type), thinning prescriptions (the number, type, and location of trees removed and remaining), and reduction of remaining fuels (mastication, biomass removal, prescribed fire). All treatments involve the removal of biomass, but some treatment types result in greater biomass removal than others. This study will pursue the evaluation of fuels reduction treatments as a gradient of intensities of treatments to enhance the ability to predict the effects of various planned or considered treatments at site and the landscape scales. Responses can be most effectively and feasibly measured at the site scale, but cumulative effects at the landscape scale will ultimately drive the effects on biological diversity. The study will quantify site-scale responses of various treatment types and intensities and then use these results to predict the effects of various landscape-scale treatment scenarios.

Sacramento