Monitoring Ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada: The Conceptual Model Foundation

Regeneration patterns in old-growth red fir–western white pine forests in the northern Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe, USA

“…Forests in most of the basin were cut between 1873 and 1900 to meet demand for wood in the Comstock silver mines in Virginia City, Nevada (Lindström, 2000;Taylor, 2004). Although logging was extensive there are tracts of uncut forest on both the east and west side of Lake Tahoe (Manley et al, 2000). Local grazing, especially of montane meadows, began in the mid 1850s and grazing peaked between 1920 and 1930.…”

“…Average monthly temperatures at South Lake Tahoe, CA (1820 m) range from À1 8C in January to 18 8C in July, and annual precipitation is 78.4 cm, with 86% falling as snow between November and April. April snow-pack depths above 2300 m frequently exceed 2 m. Thunderstorms occur in the dry season and lightning is a common source of ignition in the red fir zone (Manley et al, 2000). Terrain in the study area is complex and rock outcrops and several perennial streams interrupt connectivity of ground fuels, which may inhibit the spread of fire.…”

Modifying climate change habitat models using tree species-specific assessments of model uncertainty and life history-factors

“…The goal is to provide information to a broad audience of decision makers in regards to climate change impacts that helps establish a structured system for developing science-based planning (Manley et al, 2000) to forest management.…”

“…1). The development of multi-criteria ecological monitoring programs (Manley et al, 2000) provides a logical conceptual model on which to build a climate change assessment framework for tree species. Contemporary challenges of identifying risks to conservation and nature reserves require the synthesis of multi-layered information.…”

A new approach to forest biodiversity monitoring in Canada

“…particular human activities) on particular indicators (Thornton et al, 1994;Trexler and Busch, 2003). Conceptual models often are used to describe the relationships between ecological stressors, processes, and indicators (Manley et al, 2000;Noon, 2003). This type of monitoring is well suited to small-scale, intimately understood systems because cause-andeffect relationships can be clearly identified (Thornton et al, 1994;Noon et al, 1999).…”