Evaluation of the Influences of Salvage and Salvage Intensity on Wildlife

Project ID: L07AC14736

Federal Agency: Bureau of Land Management

Partner Institution: Oregon State University

Fiscal Year: 2004

Initial Funding: $179,400

Total Funding: $590,226

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

Principal Investigator: Hayes, John

Agreement Technical Representative: Bergin, John

Abstract: This is a long-term collaborative study intended to improve salvage and restoration decisions in post-fire environments. Salvage of dead trees has been of particular interest because of the potential economic benefits of harvest activities, the influences of salvage on risk of future fire and insect outbreaks, and effects of development of habitat. Salvage has also been highly controversial because of known or hypothesized environmental impacts on soil, water and biodiversity. Despite the coupling of potential social benefits and possible environmental impacts, a large number of questions remain about basic relationships between salvage and ecosystem response. This research project investigates the influences of post-fire salvage and salvage intensity on wildlife response in the Timbered Rock Fire area and the Butte Falls Resource Area of the BLM Medford District to determine the relatative influence of two salvage intensities on wildlife populations. (This task order was originally number HAF043F13.)

For project deliverables, contact Medford BLM office. Deliverables include Master’s thesis on short-term influences of salvage on bird populations.