Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

High-severity, infrequent fires in forests shape landscape mosaics of stand age and structure for decades to centuries, and forest structure can vary substantially even among same-aged stands. This variability among stand structures can affect landscape-scale carbon and nitrogen cycling, wildlife habitat availability, and vulnerability to subsequent disturbances.

Understanding the implications of shifts in disturbance regimes for plants and pollinators is essential for successful land management.