title: Post-wildfire logging hinders regeneration and increases fire risk.
abstract: We present data from a study of early conifer regeneration and fuel loads after the 2002 Biscuit Fire, Oregon, USA, with and without postfire logging. Natural conifer regeneration was abundant after the high-severity fire. Postfire logging reduced median regeneration density by 71%, significantly increased downed woody fuels, and thus increased short-term fire risk. Additional reduction of fuels is necessary for effective mitigation of fire risk. Postfire logging can be counterproductive to the goals of forest regeneration and fuel reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. dan.donato@oregonstate.edu
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Fontaine
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kauffman
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Law
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005390:Fires; D016468:Forestry; D009922:Oregon; D028224:Pseudotsuga / Q000254:growth & development*; D064028:Tracheophyta / Q000254:growth & development*; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development