Understanding Post-fire Transformations in Inland Northwest Forests and Shrublands

Vegetation transformations after wildfires are a growing issue for forest and shrubland managers in the Inland Pacific Northwest. Severe fires combined with persistent drought and invasive species can slow or prevent the recovery of burned forests and shrublands to their pre-fire states, resulting in ecological, economic, and cultural losses. Forests may be converted to shrub fields or grasslands, and shrublands may be replaced by invasive grasses. While shrublands and grasslands can be important components of these ecosystems, there is growing concern about the increased extent of these vegetation types on the landscape. Despite the severe post-fire vegetation transformations, little is known about where, when, and why these transformations occur. 

This project will connect researchers with tribal, federal, state, and community partners to build an understanding of how climate, invasive species, and wildfire contribute to forest and shrubland transformations in eastern Oregon and Washington. With partners, researchers will identify and map areas that have experienced post-fire transformations, use statistical models to explore how different factors (drought, invasive species, fire) contribute to transformations, and produce user-friendly interactive maps and field guides that visualize and narrate the probability of post-fire transformations. 

In the face of increasing threats from novel wildfire effects, resource managers need information and tools to aid pre- and post-fire management decisions. Results and products from this project will help managers across the Inland Pacific Northwest prioritize areas for fuel treatments, restoration, management of culturally important species, and grazing actions. Results will also provide critical information for discussing where and when to resist, accept, or direct change to promote future resistant and resilient ecosystems.