Wildland Fire and Fuels
Station scientists are providing practical, science-based knowledge and tools to support public and private land managers
in smoke management, fire suppression, fuel classification and monitoring, biomass utilization, postfire restoration, and
predicting fire behavior and the effects of fire on forest and rangeland resources.
Research results help reduce losses to society from fire, and improve and maintain the resilience and sustainability of our
Nation's natural resources.
Research Summaries
Invasive Species
Station researchers are evaluating the threats caused by invasives to our Nation's forests and grasslands, and developing methods
to restore and rehabilitate impacted ecosystems. Research results provide managers with knowledge and tools needed to reduce or
eliminate the potential for introducing invasives, and their establishment, spread, and impact throughout our Nation's forests
and rangelands, both public and private.
Research Summaries
Inventory, Monitoring and Analysis
The Station maintains a comprehensive inventory and monitoring program responsible for collecting, analyzing and reporting
information on America's forests and rangelands. Such information helps assess the status, trends and sustainability
of our forests and can be used by land managers, planners and policy makers to make informed resource management decisions.
Research Summaries
Recreation
Scientists are working to help managers, communities and others better understand both the risks, trends and emerging issues
affecting recreation, and the new ways of meeting recreation and ecotourism needs while protecting core ecosystem features
and attributes.
Research Summaries
Resource Management and Use
Scientists working under this focus area provide science, management and technology services to forest and rangeland owners,
managers, policy makers, other scientists and the public, so they can manage and use natural resources and improve the standard
of living and quality of life for current and future generations. Three areas are emphasized:
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better understanding of the structures and processes of forest and range ecosystems;
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development of effective and environmentally sound technologies for managing these resources; and
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delivery of the goods and services that people use and value from forests and rangelands.
Research Summaries
Water and Air
The Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, along with other legislation, require federal, state and local land managers to protect
the natural resources they oversee. These managers rely on sound science to help formulate management decisions and
advise policy makers and
community leaders.
As leaders in technology transfer in fire weather intelligence and smoke forecasts for the western United States,
Station scientists supply technical tools, such as computer models and website databases, to support land managers and
policy makers; and watershed simulation tools, to maintain and restore western watersheds.
Research Summaries
Wildlife and Fish
Wildlife and fish research covers a broad array of terrestrial and aquatic species, including those that are listed as
sensitive, threatened and endangered. Today's managers are challenged with conserving critical habitats while also
managing for recreation, timber, fire, insect and disease outbreaks, noxious weeds, and other resource issues. Concerns
over wildlife and fish conservation have created major policy shifts in forest and rangeland management over the past
25 years. Maintaining healthy habitats, populations and biodiversity required in laws such as the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act are key strategic goals for Forest Service Management.
Research is underway on habitat attributes needed to maintain species across complex and dynamic landscapes. Findings
help protect and enhance wildlife and their habitats, and minimize or mitigate the effects from such disturbances
as fire, urbanization, roads, recreation, invasives, global climate change, and other factors. Results help define
key tradeoffs and new options for blending wildlife protection with other objectives, and discover new cost-saving
techniques for monitoring changes in wildlife and fish populations and their habitats.
Research Summaries