Disturbance and Forest Health in Oregon and Washington.

Abstract

The Future Citizens, forest owners, and resource managers must all become active to solve forest health problems in Oregon and Washington. Without cooperation and interaction among groups with diverse and opposing viewpoints, future needs and desires for products and services from regional forests will not be met. East of the Cascades, forest fuel reduction, thinning overstocked stands, and changing species are needed to reduce the risks of uncontrollable, stand-replacing wildfires and widespread insect outbreaks. West of the Cascades, the continued introduction of exotic insects, diseases, and plants threaten the existence of native forests and, without continual vigilance, chances of establishment and spread are much greater. Air pollution, unless controlled and reduced in the Puget Sound and Willamette Valley, will affect increasing numbers of forest species, influencing their ability to grow and reproduce. On both sides of the Cascades, the incidence and severity of many native insects and diseases is closely linked to forest management. Awareness of the impact of different management activities on insects and diseases is essential to successfully achieve desired forest conditions. Forest management, forest health monitoring, research, and public education are the tools needed to create and maintain the forests that are so important to the people of Oregon and Washington.

Incidence of insects, diseases, and other damaging agents in Oregon forests.

“…The current state of our forests has been shaped by changes in human activity and climate as well as insect and disease activity. The frequency and severity of insect and disease outbreaks has increased (Campbell and Liegel 1996). These outbreaks are a response of the insects and diseases to new opportunities.…”

Comparative hazard assessment for protected species in a fire-prone landscape

“…Moist forests or long-fire-regime PAGS (20% of the landscape) tend to occur at the higher elevations where lightning was and continues to be the primary fire ignition source (South Cascades Late Successional Reserve Assessment, 1998). Records of organized fire suppression in the SOHDPA date to 1902 and, coupled with lack of prescribed fire, has allowed the development of conditions suitable for spotted owl occupancy, insect and disease infestations, and large-scale, high intensity wildfires (Campbell and Liegel, 1996; South Cascades Late Successional Reserve Assessment, 1998). Statistics from 16 years (1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002) of fires that occurred in our study landscape indicated that ignition probability ranged from 0.03 to 1.51 ignitions/100 ha (Roloff et al 2005a).…”

Spatial Distribution of Forest Fires and Controlling Factors in Andhra Pradesh, India Using Spot Satellite Datasets

“…Anthropogenic disturbances, including human caused wildfires have played an important role not only in creating 'unhealthy' vegetation conditions, but also in altering natural functions of ecosystems during the 20th century (Campbell and Liegel, 1996). In several ecosystems, fire is considered as a major cause of disturbance and change.…”