Green is the New Black: Outcomes of Post-Fire Tree Planting Across the Us Interior West

42 Pages Posted: 27 May 2024

See all articles by Kyle C. Rodman

Kyle C. Rodman

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Paula J. Fornwalt

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Zachary A. Holden

USDA Forest Service

Joseph E. Crouse

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Kimberley T. Davis

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Laura A.E. Marshall

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Michael T. Stoddard

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Robert A. Andrus

Washington State University

Marin E. Chambers

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Teresa B. Chapman

University of Colorado at Boulder

Sarah J. Hart

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Catherine A. Schloegel

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Camille S. Stevens-Rumann

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Abstract

Reforestation activities such as tree planting are an important tool to offset carbon emissions, restore forest ecosystem integrity, and maintain essential ecosystem services. Major financial investments and recent policy changes are expected to accelerate rates of tree planting throughout burned landscapes in the United States (US), but the impacts of such activities have not been broadly examined. We quantified the outcomes of recent (1987-2022) post-fire plantings in the western US using remotely sensed estimates of forest cover change and in-situ survival records (69,745 seedlings) spanning 302 fire events. Overall, planted areas gained forest cover 25.7% more rapidly than environmentally similar, unplanted sites in the same fires, and average planted seedling survival after was 79.8% after one growing season. Forest regrowth and planted seedling survival were typically highest in cold, wet areas and when planting was followed by suitable weather conditions. Planting season also shaped outcomes, with late summer or fall plantings performing best on warm, dry sites, and spring plantings performing best in cold, wet areas. Fire severity was positively associated with planted seedling survival, but negatively associated with forest regrowth rates, likely due to effects on patterns of natural tree regeneration. Tree planting can enhance post-fire forest recovery rates, though its effects are dependent on a range of environmental and operational factors. This information helps to inform realistic expectations of planting outcomes, an issue of global relevance as such projects expand to achieve restoration and climate mitigation goals.

Keywords: Reforestation, Wildfire, Forest Recovery, Landsat Time Series, Tree Recruitment, REPLANT Act

Suggested Citation

Rodman, Kyle C. and Fornwalt, Paula J. and Holden, Zachary A. and Crouse, Joseph E. and Davis, Kimberley T. and Marshall, Laura A.E. and Stoddard, Michael T. and Andrus, Robert A. and Chambers, Marin E. and Chapman, Teresa B. and Hart, Sarah J. and Schloegel, Catherine A. and Stevens-Rumann, Camille S., Green is the New Black: Outcomes of Post-Fire Tree Planting Across the Us Interior West. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4844126 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4844126

Kyle C. Rodman (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Paula J. Fornwalt

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Zachary A. Holden

USDA Forest Service ( email )

Joseph E. Crouse

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Kimberley T. Davis

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Laura A.E. Marshall

Colorado State University, Fort Collins ( email )

Fort Collins, CO 80523
CO 80523
United States

Michael T. Stoddard

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Robert A. Andrus

Washington State University ( email )

Wilson Rd.
College of Business
Pullman, WA 99164
United States

Marin E. Chambers

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Teresa B. Chapman

University of Colorado at Boulder ( email )

256 UCB
Boulder, CO CO 80300-0256
United States

Sarah J. Hart

Colorado State University, Fort Collins ( email )

Fort Collins, CO 80523
CO 80523
United States

Catherine A. Schloegel

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Camille S. Stevens-Rumann

Colorado State University, Fort Collins ( email )

Department of Economics
Fort Collins, CO 80253-1771
United States

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