Pacific Northwest Research Station

Science Delivery Team

2008 Science Accomplishments

Nitrogen oxide fluxes from coastal Douglas-fir plantations identified

Moist coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest often have more available soil nitrogen than inland forests. High soil nitrogen, when combined with adequate soil moisture and warm temperatures, may create ideal conditions for producing and releasing nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful greenhouse gas, and nitric oxide (NO), a precursor to tropospheric ozone, one component of smog. Given their potential impacts on climate, it is important to understand the factors contributing to nitrogen oxide fluxes in these forests.

Station scientists found that nitrogen oxide fluxes were dominated largely by NO, and fluxes of N2O were relatively low from coastal Douglas-fir plantations. The NO fluxes increased with nitrogen availability and temperature when soils were relatively dry. However N2O fluxes were relatively insensitive to changes in temperature, soil moisture, and nitrogen availability, suggesting that these forest plantations may not become significant sources of this greenhouse gas, given expected near-term climate changes.

To learn more, contact Heather Erickson at herickson@fs.fed.us.

Biomass studies lead to strategic thinking regarding fuel reduction treatments

Certain parameters must be met before producing electricity and biofuels from forest biomass becomes economically feasible. Credit: Eini Lowell

Many forests in the Western United States are prone to larger, more severe wildfires than they were prior to settlement by Euro-Americans. Reducing fire hazard can be costly, but studies by station scientists indicate areas where the cost for fuel reduction treatments potentially may be offset by the sale of products removed during treatment. Tree size, species, and proximity to a processing facility are some of the factors that determine the salability of wood removed during these fuel reduction treatments.

A study focused on southwest Oregon and northern California found that large trees often need to be removed to accomplish fire-hazard-reduction goals, even when one objective is to minimize the amount of merchantable timber harvested. This is because the crowns on these trees are so large, they are often key factors in both torching (crown fire initiation) and crowning (crown fire spread). This information will help fire managers evaluate fuel conditions at a variety of spatial scales and consider various scenarios for reducing fire hazard. These studies are particularly useful for showing how treatment effectiveness and timber volumes might differ given different policy directions or budget constraints.

National forests are using the techniques developed for this study to evaluate potential stewardship contracts, and the Western Governors' Association used them to evaluate the potential to produce electricity and biofuels from all forests in the Western United States.

Outcome: The Western Governors' Association has used the study techniques to evaluate the potential to produce electricity and biofuels from all forests in the Western United States.

Partners: USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, Oregon Department of Forestry

To learn more, contact Jamie Barbour at jbarbour01@fs.fed.us.

Study evaluates investments in fuel treatments and gains in resource protection

Researchers evaluated the cost and effectiveness of prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and mechanical treatments plus fire on seven long-term study sites that are part of the national Fire and Fire Surrogates Program.

Results indicate that treatments costs, including prescribed fire, were generally higher in the West than published costs for other regions in the United States. The cost of these treatments could be offset, in some cases, by the value of the harvested timber. This study also found that these three treatments are likely to reduce the severity of fire, which in turn, may decrease the need for immediate suppression. These noted benefits may expand the range of available treatment options. This information can be used to compare the financial and technical feasibility of various fuel reduction treatments to address tradeoffs associated with different resource and budget scenarios.

Partners: Joint Fire Science Program, Oregon State University, Texas Tech University, University of California (Berkeley and Davis), USDA Forest Service Alaska Region

To learn more, contact Jamie Barbour at jbarbour01@fs.fed.us.

Progress made toward managing fish and fire in the same landscape

The long-term effects of fire on aquatic ecosystems are not well understood. During a two part workshop, land managers and fire managers identified their information needs for managing aquatic ecosystems in fire-prone areas. Scientists then developed summaries of existing research, theories, and models in response to the problem areas identified by the land and fire managers.

This effort produced a specific outline of research needed to help policymakers and land and fire managers make more informed choices. The national Joint Fire Science Program is using this assessment of research needs to determine subsequent study programs. The Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain Research Stations will use the information to guide new research, syntheses of existing research, and science delivery efforts.

To learn more, contact Jamie Barbour at jbarbour01@fs.fed.us.

Partners: The Keystone Center, USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDI Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service