In the highly departed fire-adapted forests of the Southwest, a forest ecosystem’s natural range of variability (NRV) reflects the evolutionary history of the system and its resiliency to disturbances and changes in climate over long time periods. Land management actions informed by NRV have the best opportunity to incorporate ecological variability, and therefore enhance biodiversity, recognize the role of disturbance, and maintain ecosystem resilience.
Two recent ERI working papers detail how to use NRV to develop restoration prescriptions for ponderosa pine and dry mixed-conifer forests and present NRV information reported in numerous studies in frequent-fire forests throughout the Southwest region. Collectively, the papers summarize this information for use by land managers and provide management recommendations.
Read more:
Restoration Prescriptions for Southwestern Frequent-Fire Adapted Forests
A Summary of the Natural Range of Variability for Southwestern Frequent-Fire Forests
