Citation
Prefire heterogeneity, fire severity, and early postfire plant reestablishment in subalpine forests of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
TL;DR
Lodgepole pine seedling density varied dramatically based on prefire stand age and serotiny levels
This primary research documented the vegetation recovery patterns following the 1988 Yellowstone fires, providing empirical evidence that apparent destruction was actually enabling renewal. The study showed how lodgepole pine regeneration varied based on prefire conditions and fire severity, demonstrating that ecosystems are adapted to transform disturbance into opportunity.
The findings directly support the chapter's central thesis that endings feed beginnings - the 'destroyed' forest showed remarkable regeneration precisely because fire triggered adaptations (like serotinous cone opening) that had been waiting for this disturbance event.
Key Findings from Turner et al. (1999)
- Lodgepole pine seedling density varied dramatically based on prefire stand age and serotiny levels
- Fire severity influenced early successional pathways but all areas showed regeneration
- Serotinous cones released seeds within weeks of fire, producing more seedlings than previous 100 years