“Redwood Mortality and Sprouting Response to fire”

Prof. O’Hara is a professor of Silviculture in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley

Lightening strikes and humans periodically cause fires in the Redwood forests of California. By studying and analyzing the regeneration after these fires, a better understanding of Redwood response to fire can be determined. This study attempts to define these responses by gathering information in various sites along the California coast. Burned and unburned transects were randomly chosen, and qualitative and quantitative data were gathered on both plot and individual tree descriptions. Based on initial findings, basal sprouting is more vigorous in recently burned areas when compared to unburned plots. The number of Redwood seedlings was also remarkably higher than in unburned areas, which is most likely due to the recent burn off of leaf litter that covered the topsoil. This information could be helpful for land managers who implement prescribed burning, or for anyone interested in the promotion of Redwood dominant forests.

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Sarah is a major in Forestry and Natural Resources major in the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley. She currently attends Berkeley City College where she maintains a 3.7 GPA and is on the Dean’s list. After completing her undergraduate work she intends to pursue a Master’s of Science in Forestry. Sarah is interested in forest conservation and urban forestry. She is the first in her family to attend college.