Stand Structure and Fuel Loads in Sudden Oak Death Syndrome Infected Forests in Marin County
Brandon M. Collins1 and Danny L. Fry2
Stand Structure and fuels were investigated in forests affected by Sudden Oak Death Syndrome (SODS) in Marin County, California. The sites chosen for this study were China Camp State Park and Marin Municipal Watershed District. Stand structural characteristics, as well as surface and ground fuel loads were compared between plots with different SODS infection levels. Only the mortality volume of SODS host species, California black oak (Q. kelloggii), coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus), California bay laurel (Umbellaria californica), madrone (Arbutus menziesii), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), were significantly correlated with plot infection levels. Plots were grouped into low (0-25%), mid (>25-50%), and high level (>50%) infection, to explore trends between these infection levels and the plot structural characteristics and fuel loads. Although no significant differences were found, due to tremendous variability, trends did exist between infection levels. Oak and tanoak basal area, as well as total basal area, tended to be lowest in plots with high level infection. In addition, 1000 hour fuel load tended to be highest in plots with high level infection. All host oaks trees found in the plots, California black oak, coast live oak, and tanoak, were compared with their site, plot, and individual characteristics, using logistic regression, to test for correlations with individual tree infection. Site aspect and individual tree diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) were found to be significantly correlated with individual tree infection. This study is a preliminary attempt to quantify structural characteristics, and fuel loads in SODS affected forests. This study suggests that some characteristics can be correlated with SODS infection.
1Colorado State University, 126A Forestry, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1470; (970) 491-0551; bcollins@cnr.colostate.edu
2Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 145 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114; dfry@nature.berkeley.edu
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