Our student research assistants partnered with Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) in Wyoming to create a report on the stand dynamics of postfire vegetative regeneration and management implications. Wildfire serves an important ecological role in maintaining species composition and forest structure in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Previous management practices have employed prescribed burning as a tool to imitate wildfire’s effects on vegetation. However, a gap exists in understanding the responses of plant species to this method. There is also a need for a tool to assist the public to better understand the stand dynamics and management practices within the BTNF. This report intends to provide geospatial analysis to construct future forest plans and to foster communication between the staff at BTNF and the public.
Collaborator
U.S. Forest Service | Website
Project Deliverable
The full analysis report can be found here.
Student Researchers
Mark Foster, Research Assistant | Mark is a first-year Master of Forestry student who brings his prior experience as an environmental attorney to bear on current land management issues. As an attorney, Mark focused on emissions issues related to stationary and mobile sources (power plants and cars), permitting of major liquid natural gas projects, national fuel programs, and natural resource conservation. In addition, he has worked on input to developing federal management plans throughout the country, and the application of policies in these plans to current projects and activities. He is focused on practical solutions that meet the needs of the present while anticipating the future. See what Mark has been up to. | Blog
Zhi Li, Research Assistant | Zhi comes from Shantou, a coastal city of about five million in Southeast China. He became passionate about forest ecology during his education at Brandeis University and worked for Harvest Forest to conduct research at Walden pond in Massachusetts. Zhi is pursuing a Master of Forest Science degree at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, where he focuses his research on fire ecology and forest regeneration in western United States. Besides his academic interests, Zhi is enthusiastic about rock climbing and basketball. See what Zhi has been up to. | Blog