Bunchgrass Ridge

Restoration of montane meadows in western Oregon:
A center for research and adaptive management

Photo by James A. Lutz

In this section
Restoration experiment

Design and implementation
 

Experimental design
  Treatment implementation
 

Sampling design and analysis

Early results
 

Effects of tree-removal and prescribed burning treatments
 

Effects of burn piles
Conclusions
 

Conclusions

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Program of research

The centerpiece of our research program is an experiment that explores the potential for restoration of meadows through tree removal and prescribed burning. It addresses the following questions:
  • Is restoration possible with tree removal and prescribed burning?
  • Is fire necessary for restoration or is tree removal sufficient?
  • Does the potential for restoration depend on the stage of encroachment?
  • What are the operational challenges and constraints of tree removal and prescribed burning?
Bunchgrass Ridge on 29 September 2006, one day after broadcast burning.
The three experimental units that had been broadcast burned appear as whitish patches. Unburned slash piles in the three pile-and-burn units (arrows) were burned 2 November 2006 (inset).

Early results

Dramatic shifts in the abundance of meadow and forest species and limited recruitment of ruderals suggest strong potential for restoration through tree removal.

Short-term responses to broadcast burning indicate that there are tradeoffs in the use of fire: Although burning greatly reduces the abundance of forest species, exposure of mineral soil may also lead to greater recruitment of ruderals and greater germination of conifer seedlings.

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