Post-Fire Monitoring of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa P & C Lawson) Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Moore LM. 2005. Post-Fire Monitoring of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa P & C Lawson) Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. Windom Floristics. Durango, CO
Post-fire monitoring of ponderosa pine in Mesa Verde National Park following the Bircher Fire in 2000 found that 76% of the ponderosa pine trees in the park were destroyed. The greatest survivorship occurred where trees were protected by a lack of surface fuels, such as those trees located on open bedrock or trees located in areas of relatively low burn severity. Seedlings were found in only one location, reflecting the high burn severity and on going drought conditions present at MEVE during the years following the fire. Sites with the greatest potential to undergo recruitment were identified. Ponderso pine stands at risk for future fire activity were noted.