Low-severity fires in the boreal region: reproductive implications for black spruce stands in between stand-replacing fire events.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Stand-replacing crown fires are the most prevalent type of fire regime in boreal forests in North America. However, a substantial proportion of low-severity fires are found within fire perimeters. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of low-severity fires on the reproductive potential and seedling recruitment in boreal forest stands in between stand-replacing fire events.

Methods

We recorded site and tree characteristics from 149 trees within 12 sites dominated by mature black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.] trees in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The presence of fire-scarred trees supported classification of sites as unburned or affected by low-severity fires in recent history. We used non-parametric tests to evaluate differences in site c

SUBMITTER: Alfaro-Sanchez R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11805943 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature