Landscape Fragmentation and Forest Fuel Accumulation: Effects of Fragment Size, Age, and Climate

摘要

Landscape fragmentation can affect fuel accumulation, increase the spatial variability of fuel loads, and affect the susceptibility of forests to fire. Fragmentation creates a complex environment in which to manage forests in the United States and Puerto Rico and few studies have related the combined effects of fragmentation, fragment size, forest type, and climate on biomass, downed woody debris, and decomposition. Our goal is to understand the variability in fuels and forest structure that is created by forest edges and fragmentation. This study has led to information that will lead to better prediction and mapping of fuel loads and fire behavior in fragmented forests and aid in management decisions on public forested lands in Puerto Rico, Idaho, Washington, Minnesota, and Alaska.