Science Synthesis to support Forest Plan Revision in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades

Rick Bottoms, Carl Skinner, Jonathan Long and Jane HayesUSDA FS Pacific Southwest Research Station

Science Synthesis Report

Presents a well-integrated synthesis report for Forest Managers and Stakeholders

Distills important findings from recent studies Examines concepts and issues that cut

across science disciplines to help managers address relevant challenges more holistically

Addresses gaps in previous synthesis research by considering social and economic concerns of communities

Collaborative Approach

PSW scientistsPNW scientistsRegion 5 Ecology

Program Internal Review:

Region 5 Planning and Management Staffs

External Peer reviewers

PSW was invited to do this?PSW scientists trusted by groups

outside of the Forest Service who requested synthesis

Strong support stemming from success of GTR-220 and related synthesis research

2009 2012

Science SynthesisDecember

2012

Interdisciplinary Science

Forest Ecology

Fire and Fuels

Water Resources and Aquatic ecosystems

Social, economic and cultural dimensions:

Air quality and pollution

Wildlife Species of Concern California spotted owl Forest Carnivores: fisher and

marten

Soils

Forest genetics

Post-fire management

Integration strategies

This effort draws upon expertise from all 4 PSW program areas and other science communities representing several science disciplines

Science Synthesis Core Team Rick Bottoms – Synthesis Coordinator Carl Skinner – Science Team Lead

Malcolm North – Vegetation Brandon Collins – Fire & Fuels Carolyn Hunsaker - Water John Keane – Wildlife (spotted owl) Bill Zielinski – Wildlife (fisher & marten) Jonathan Long – Integration and

Aquatic Resources Emily Moghaddas – Soils

Pat Winter – Social Science Team Lead Trista Patterson (PNW) – Ecosystem

Services Susan Charnley (PNW) – Social Science Frank Lake – Cultural Resources Jessica Wright – Genetics Andrzej Bytnerowicz and Mark Fenn

(Air quality and pollution) Ken Hubbert – Soils and post-fire

response Hugh Safford – Region Ecology

Program Lenya Quinn-Davidson – UC Extension

the R-5 Leadership, Planning Team and Ecology Group

PSW Leadership

Overarching Question “Based on recent scientific

advances, what management strategies are likely to promote resilience of socioecological systems and sustain values-at-risk in the synthesis area over the short and long term given expected stressors?”

Focal AreaConifer-dominated forests in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades including the Modoc Plateau

Synthesis Review Process 1st Dialog session December 2011 Initial drafts for review completed by August 2012 Internal reviews: September to October Revisions and additions (Lakes, Post-wildfire,

Climate Change) External reviews: October to November Total: 70+ reviewers with most chapters receiving

8 to 11 reviews Policy Review: (December-January) Final Draft Report posted to Web: (10 January)

Next Steps: Report and Outreach Sierra-Cascades Dialogue (January 24th) On-site Forest Managers and Synthesis

Team (Early March) Intend to publish report as an official

General Technical Report