Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Abstract

Humboldt State University’s Communication Capstone class presents Communication Perspectives 2013.  Combining communication and ecological restoration, Chaparral Vs. Fire describes the controversial relationship of wild and planned fires on the rare chaparral biome. The manuscript speech takes into consideration the history of the land as well as the naturally occurring flora. The main arguments debated in the speech are for the California Mosaic Hypothesis and fire suppression. Due to the growing urbanization, fire management has become a top priority to maintain the health of the land and the safety of people and property. However, both attempted solutions are flawed and a new possibility is presented, with a less extreme solution, in between the spectrum.  This webpage offers the manuscript speech, common flora and fauna found in the chaparral, as well as sources for further information. The speech (as well as others) can be viewed at http://archive.org/details/AH-comm_perspectives_2013_pt_d.  


-Amanda Cully, Communication Senior at HSU



Monday, October 14, 2013

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Fire poppies


Papaver californicum
Photo credit: richardherrmann.com; laspilitas.com

Chaparral Vs. Fire (manuscript)


Chaparral is a rare biome found in few places throughout the world, one of them being southern California. Chaparral is recognized by its woody drought-hardy shrubs, Mediterranean-like climate, and wildfires. Now, the wildfires are where the controversy comes in. Due to the misunderstandings of the Chaparral, it is being managed poorly and thus having greater problems. Chaparral is extremely beneficial to California due to the essential protection it provides against soil erosion, its moderation of climate, its underground water supplies, and its habitat for flora and fauna. While urban sprawl is quickly dominating the region, fire management is taking many different extremes. Some believe that frequent fires are necessary to maintain biomass build up, while others counter that the region should not be managed with fires at all. A burning system in between the spectrum is the best answer. Due to the growing urbanization, fires can no longer be completely wild and must be managed to ensure the chaparral can maintain its sustainability. Today I will describe the California mosaic hypothesis and another contrasting view, a brief history of the land, and provide a quick overview of the naturally occurring flora.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment describe the California mosaic hypothesis as, “Applying planned fire at varying intensities, scales, and times within a broader landscape to create patches of burnt and unburnt areas that change over time” So, the idea is that biomass will accumulate, and, if not managed, create a larger, hotter, and less controllable fire. However, when chaparral is burned too often, certain plants that aren’t as tolerant to the flame can be lost and invasive weeds can take over. It takes Chaparral about two years before it truly flourishes with density and diversity after a fire, and it cannot reach that potential if everything is consistently being burned away. Poor burnings can also lead to soil erosion. On the other hand, The California Chaparral Institute believes that fire is not necessary at all to maintain a healthy ecosystem… but doing nothing can encourage larger out of control fires. Allowing fires to occur naturally, or preventing them completely, can be unsafe due to the volatile oils in the plants that allow flames to spread to different flora easily. One of the largest factors of uncontrolled wildfires, besides the easy combustion of the oils, is wind, especially the Santa Ana winds which can spread fires quickly and in many directions. The four contributors to out of control fires, and thus the at risk concern of people and property, is heat, oxygen, fuel, and weather. Another concern of a zero fire regime is the important flora, such as mariposa lilies and fire poppies, that need the extreme heat or char in order to germinate as well as fire being a key source in helping nitrogen bound in organic material to transform into ammonium which is directly usable for flora to prosper.
And now a brief history: Ethnographic studies support that the land was once maintained by aboriginals who would manipulate the land with fire as a means for better hunting opportunities, protection, and warfare strategy. Despite the fires being more frequent than the average fire induced lightning storm, two recorded in the past twenty-five years, they still allowed the area to thrive. Once settlers began to migrate to southern California, though, the land was left vulnerable to invasive European grasses. The invasive grasses can take over if the native plants aren’t cared for properly. Frequent fires were still practiced in the 1800’s which is when the first massive wildfire took place. The Tujunga wildfire occurred in 1878 and became unmanageable due to the Santa Ana winds. The second wildfire didn’t occur for another 20 years providing evidence that wind is a larger factor than biomass buildup.
Next I will discuss the chaparral flora. The flora in chaparral has developed modifications to help survive during and after fires. There are three main types of fire modifications that the chaparral flora has developed. There are the obligate resprouters, obligate seeders, and facultative seeders. Obligate resprouters are plants, such as the toyon, that depend on resprouting under the earth after a fire for survival. Obligate seeders can be perennial shrubs, such as the ceanothus species, and are terminated in the fire and rely on the fire affected seeds to restart the next population. Faculative seeders, such as manzanita, resprout and germinate after a fire passes through. Making things more complicated, when fires are too hot, they can destroy the buried root crowns of vegetation, making it more difficult for plants to regenerate which can allow coastal scrub plants to take over, altering the ecosystem.
According to California Fire, “From 1997-2001, an average of 392 wildland fires were caused by arson, burning 21,072 acres and causing over $3.2 billion in damage annually”
To sum up: The urbanization and conflicting views create a strain on fire management in the chaparral region of southern California. The chaparral has adapted a resiliency to flames and even requires them in order for flora to be at their peak. Mosaic burning and suppression can be more harmful to the flora than helpful and cause insufficiencies in diversity and density. By having a system of fire management, planned at the right season and maintained to where is can cleanse the biomass, the houses will be safe and the ecosystem can thrive. 

Amanda Cully, Communication 490, Humboldt State University, Fall Semester 2013
Recorded  September 25, 2013 - Episode D


For more information...

Alden, Peter and Fred Heath. Field Guide to California. New York: National Audubo Society, 1998.
          - The Field Guide to California offers insightful information regarding all of California's diverse biomes. The guide also provides information about the native flora and fauna, how to recognize them, as well as history and fun facts. 
CalFire. CalFire. 2012. 17 April 2013 <http://www.fire.ca.gov/>.
          - CalFire falls under the Department of Forestry Fire Protection. The website offers vast information about fire                          safety, awareness, and management. The website gives up-to-date information on current California fires, at risk                    areas, and prevention techniques.
Goforth, Bret R and Richard A. Minnich. "Evidence, Exaggeration, and Error in Historical Accounts of Chaparral Wildfires in California." Ecological Society of America (2007): 779-790.
Keeley, Jo E, Teresa Brennan and Anne H. Pfaff. "Fire Severity and Ecosystem Responses Following Crown Fires in California Shrublands." Ecological Society of America (2008): 1530-1546.
Keely, Jon E and Paul H. Zedler. "Large, High Intensity Fire Events in Southern California Shrublands: Debunking the Fine Grain Age Patch Model." Ecological Society of America (2009): 69-94.
McDaniel, Josh. Chaparral Fire Science Debate Continues. 2008. 17 April 2013 <http://www.wildfirelessons.net/Additional.aspx?Page=150>.
Minnich, Richard A. "Fire Mosaics in Southern California and Northern Baja California." Science (1983): 1287-1294.
Nirgro, Daniel. Wildlife Biology. Long Beach : LBCC inc, 2011.

Photo Credit

California Chaparral Institute. The Chaparral. 24 September 2013. 15 October 2013 <http://www.californiachaparral.com/>.
          - The California Chaparral Institute provides vast information about the chaparral biome. The website describes the native flora and fauna and also provides management insight and opportunities. The website is a strong advocate for natural fires and fire suppression.
Herrmann, Richard. Showcase Photos. 15 October 2013 <http://www.richardherrmann.com/>.
East County Magazine. May 2010 Articles. May 2010. 15 October 2013 <http://eastcountymagazine.org/taxonomy/term/2643>.
Exploring the Environment. The Chaparral. 10 November 2004. 15 October 2013 <http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/k4/biomes/Boverview7.html>.
Los Padres Forest Watch. Mariposa Lily. 2013. 15 October 2013 <http://lpfw.org/our-region/wildlife/mariposa-lily/>.
          - Los Padres Forest Watch is a nonprofit organization with a mission to protect and educate the general public about the Southern California biomes. The organization organizes restoration projects and gets locals involved with their environment by teaching proper management skills and the joys of nature.
San Bernadino County Museum. Bark Beetle and Fire Danger. 2003. 15 October 2013 <http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/museum/barkbeetle/firedanger.htm>.
Wilson, Bert. Post Fire. 1 June 2013. 15 October 2013 <http://www.laspilitas.com/classes/post-fire.html>.