Effects of ecosystem-based management treatments

The prescribed burn treatments were applied to reduce pre-existing and new slash fuel loadings, reduce understory tree density to lower crown fire potential, stimulate vigor of decadent understory vegetation, produce mineral seedbeds for seral species establishment, and increase availability of mineral nutrients. To test the feasibility of prescribed burning under a broad range of conditions without producing undesirable effects, several burn treatments were compared. Three contrasting burn treatments were applied in the shelterwood and commercial thinning studies and two burn treatments in the selection study.