The Role of Fuel Breaks in the Invasion of Nonnative Plants
Scientific Investigations Report
2006-5185
Prepared in cooperation with the Joint Fire Science Program
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Abstract
Executive Summary
Fuel reduction projects have become an increasingly important component of state and federal fuels management programs. However, an unintended result of some pre-fire fuel manipulation projects may be the introduction of nonnative invasive plants. The establishment of nonnative plants within fuel breaks is a serious concern because the presence of invasive species in areas treated to reduce fuels could make adjacent wildland areas more susceptible to invasion, particularly following widespread disturbances such as fires. This report presents the results of a research project investigating the relationship between fuel reduction treatments and the invasion of nonnative plants. Throughout the rest of this document, we will collectively refer to these treatments as fuel breaks, although we sampled a range of fuel breaks described variously as fuel breaks, shaded fuel breaks, defensible fuel reduction zones, defensible fuel profile zones, fuel reduction projects, fuel management zones, wildfire protection zones, and community protection zones.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | The Role of Fuel Breaks in the Invasion of Nonnative Plants |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2006-5185 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20065185 |
| Edition | - |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | Geological Survey (U.S.) |
| Contributing office(s) | California Water Science Center |
| Description | xii, 69 p. |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |