Proactive fuels management for old growth conservation in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Description

Researchers at the University of California Davis and University of Nevada Reno modeled the outcomes of four fuels management scenarios followed by a simulated wildfire at Emerald Point in the Lake Tahoe Basin (LTB), an iconic MOG stand experiencing these vulnerabilities. The study found that a treatment involving thinning to within the forest’s historical “Natural Range of Variation” (NRV) followed by a fall broadcast burn was most effective in reducing projected large-tree mortality, maintaining stand basal area, and retaining post-wildfire live tree carbon. Researchers also discuss potential management co-benefits of treatments, such as reduced competition-driven tree mortality, increased understory biodiversity, raptor habitat conservation, and reduced air quality impacts.