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Implementing a Dry Forest Strategy in Late-Successional Reserves: the Wenatchee Experience

Implementing a Dry Forest Strategy in Late-Successional Reserves: the Wenatchee Experience. Bill Gaines, USFS And Jeff Krupka, USFWS. Overview. Dry Forests and LSRs on the Wenatchee NF Management Approach Implementation Issues New Approaches and Forest Plan Revision. Dry Forests and LSRs.

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Implementing a Dry Forest Strategy in Late-Successional Reserves: the Wenatchee Experience

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  1. Implementing a Dry Forest Strategy in Late-Successional Reserves: the Wenatchee Experience Bill Gaines, USFS And Jeff Krupka, USFWS

  2. Overview • Dry Forests and LSRs on the Wenatchee NF • Management Approach • Implementation Issues • New Approaches and Forest Plan Revision

  3. Dry Forests and LSRs (NRF Habitat)

  4. Fire History Literature • Camp et al. 1997. Predicting late-successional fire refugia pre-dating European settlement in the Wenatchee Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management. • Everett et al. 1997. Structure of northern spotted owl nest stands and their historical conditions on the eastern slope of the Pacific Northwest Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management • Everett et al. 2000. Fire history in ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests on the east slope of the Washington Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management. • Everett et al. 2003. Continuity of fire disturbance between riparian and adjacent sideslope Douglas-fir forests. Forest Ecology and Management. • Wright and Agee. 2004. Fire and vegetation history in the eastern Cascade Mountains, Washington. Ecological Applications.

  5. Northern Spotted Owls • About 350,000 ac of habitat in Dry Forest • Monitor ~170 Activity Centers/year (1991-2003) • 60 (35%) in Dry Forest Types • 110 (65%) in More Mesic/Moist Forest Types

  6. Persistence of Spotted Owl Activity Centers(applying Camp et al. 1997) Percent

  7. 1994-2004 Fires • Averaging over 45,000 acres burned/year forestwide • Examples • 1994 Hatchery/Rat/Tyee – 186,000 acres • 2001-2002 Chelan Fires – 98,000 acres • 2003 Okanogan Fires – 107,000 acres* • 2004 OWNF Fires – 64,000 acres • Losses estimated as 17 AC and 25,000 acres of NRF* • OWNF observation = SEI conclusion: more habitat effects due to fire than harvest

  8. Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Forest Species • Habitat: • Potential of about 200,000-220,000 acres (WNF). • 60% decrease in Habitat Availability (ICBMP).

  9. How Do We Deal With These Issues? • Sustainability of Late-Successional Habitat. • Desire to Restore Dry Forest Habitats. • Limiting Factors/ Driving Forces (social/political, ESA, etc.)

  10. Management Approach • Overview • Watershed Analysis • LSRA and Late-Successional Habitat • Dry Forest Habitat Restoration • Tools • Existing NWFP analyses • Published literature and other new information • Monitoring and local knowledge

  11. Watershed Analysis • Assess the current condition of wildlife habitats. • Assess the reference (historic) condition of wildlife habitats (incorporates disturbance ecology). • Compare the current and reference condition to estimate trends in habitat (identify sustainability issues). • Identify restoration opportunities.

  12. Use of Reference Conditions • “Objectively” gain insights about ecosystem processes and functions. • “Objectively” gain insights into “trends” about habitat and vegetation conditions. • Evaluate management/restoration options. • NOT to re-create historic conditions everywhere. • Until someone comes up with a better approach!

  13. 1997 Wenatchee LSRA • Describes the 15 LSR/11 MLSA system • Concept and role of the “Big 3” LSR’s • Larger role in conservation (60% goal, 20+ pairs) • Assume act as “source populations” • Balance Restoration with Protection of Habitat • Provides flexibility for management within LSR/MLSA’s with high risk of disturbance • LSR Risk Rating based on departure from reference conditions and potential for human caused ignitions • Core of the WNF strategy for owl conservation

  14. Late-Successional Habitat • Identify the location on a Landscape where LS Habitat is MOST sustainable • Considerations • Start with Spotted Owl Activity Center(s) • Fire Refugia (Camp et al. 1997) • Historically 7-16% of the landscape • Habitat patches that are in the most sustainable locations on the landscape (riparian areas, north slopes, benches) • Maintain a Minimum of 40% (other LSRs)-60% (Big 3 LSRs) NRF Habitat in Territory Around Spotted Owl Activity Centers. • Think outside the “Circle” • Adjacent CHU/Matrix lands (LSRA sustainability analysis)

  15. Restoration of Dry Forest Habitats • Emphasize Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Forest Dependent Species and Fuels Reduction • May retain Dispersal habitat Characteristics for Spotted Owls in some cases (>40% canopy closure) • Generally is not spotted owl habitat (NRF) • Where LS habitat has low probability of being sustained (may be relative) • Juxtaposed around LS habitat to reduce fire risk • May Treat Up to 40% (Big 3)-60% (others) of the landscape • May reduce risks to some stands of spotted owl habitat but likely do not change landscape level risks

  16. Stand-Level Prescriptions • Science: • Stand Reconstruction (Harrod et al. 1999) • Stand Density Index • Objectives: • Restore “old” structures • Reintroduce processes (fire) • Reduce fuels/risks • Tools: • Thinning • Thin and Burn • Prescribed fire • Pruning

  17. Monitoring to Adapt Management • Dry Forest Restoration Monitoring • Fire and Fire Surrogate • Birds and Burning • Northern Spotted Owl Related Monitoring • Demographic studies • Northern flying squirrel • Barred owl ecology

  18. Implementation Issues • Varying Quality of Watershed Analyses • Vegetation data approach • Use of Reference Condition • Units have Unique Situations • Availability of Fire Ecology expertise • Concerns about “treating” spotted owl habitat • Former Survey and Manage species • Land Use Allocations • Management Approach implemented in “easy” areas, left with complex areas

  19. New Information and Forest Plan Revision • SEI Report and Demography Studies • Rangewide: More habitat but less owls • EWC: substantial decline, averaging 7% • EWC threats: habitat, barred owl, WNV? • Forest Plan Revision • Opportunity to revise LSRA, risk management? • Fuel reduction vs. spotted owl persistence? • Integrate LSR Guidelines with Fire Regime Condition Class? Adjust LUA boundaries? • FUELSOLVE • Appropriate amount of landscape treated?

  20. Summary • WNF: 35% of owls occupy dry forest • Struggling to maintain and develop habitat in a fire-prone environment • Overall, a good “compromise” strategy but concerns about effectiveness • Spotted owls continue to decline

  21. Conclusion Forest Plan Revision as an opportunity to develop a new strategic plan, revise the LSRA • Stay the course after only 10 years? • Aggressively treat to reduce habitat losses? • Strategically treat to minimize impacts? • Other factors influencing decline?

  22. Questions?

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