Identification_Information:
	Citation:
		Citation_Information:
			Originator: David L. Peterson and R. David Hammer
			Publication_Date: 2001
			Title: From open to closed canopy: a century of change in Douglas-fir forest, Orcas Island, Washington
			Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Journal article
			Series_Information:
				Series_Name: Northwest Science
				Issue_Identification: 75(3):262-269
			Other_Citation_Details:
				Science Information System Project #: 746
				Publication Control #: 1040
	Description:
		Abstract: Open savanna-like coniferous forests are uncommon in western Washington except for a few areas, including the San Juan Islands and the southern edge of the Puget Lowlands. The south face of Mount Constitution, on one of the San Juan Islands (Orcas Island), contains a closed-canopy forest. The USGS, in collaboration with the University of Missouri, quantified the current structure of undisturbed closed canopy Douglas-fir forest on Orcas Island and compared it to reconstructed forest structure of the 19th century. The research documented a large increase in Douglas-fir tree density over the last century. A fire-history analysis conducted on relict (old, remaining trees) trees indicates that at least seven fires occurred on Mount Constitution since 1736, but only one fire has occurred since 1893. This suggests that fire exclusion is the primary cause of the recent increase in tree density. It is likely that high fire intensities with a high probability of crown fires, will kill the relict Douglas-fir in the future, given the current distribution of fuels in the understory on Orcas Island. The researchers suggest that manual thinning and repeated prescribed burns may be necessary to preserve the relict trees and to restore an open, Douglas-fir forest on Mount Constitution
		Purpose: Reporting research results
		Supplemental_Information:
			Extent of item: 7pp
			Illustrative Matter:  tables, maps
	Time_Period_of_Content:
		Time_Period_Information:
			Single_Date/Time:
				Calendar_Date: 2001
		Currentness_Reference: publication date
	Status:
		Progress: Complete
		Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
	Spatial_Domain:
		Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Orcas Island, Washington
		Bounding_Coordinates:
			West_Bounding_Coordinate: -123
			East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.75
			North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.7
			South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.6
	Keywords:
		Theme:
			Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Science Information System Controlled Vocabulary
			Theme_Keyword: Fire
			Theme_Keyword: Forests
			Theme_Keyword: Human Impacts
			Theme_Keyword: Monitoring
		Place:
			Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: none
			Place_Keyword: Orcas Island
			Place_Keyword: Washington
			Place_Keyword: WA
			Place_Keyword: San Juan Islands
	Access_Constraints: None
	Use_Constraints: None
	Point_of_Contact:
		Contact_Information:
			Contact_Person_Primary:
				Contact_Person: Peterson, David L.
				Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
			Contact_Address:
				Address_Type: mailing and physical address
				Address:
					Fire and Environmental Research Applications Team
					Box 352100
				City: Seattle
				State_or_Province: WA
				Postal_Code: 98195
			Contact_Voice_Telephone: (206) 543-1587
			Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wild@u.washington.edu
Distribution_Information:
	Distributor:
		Contact_Information:
			Contact_Organization_Primary:
				Contact_Organization: Olendorff Library
			Contact_Position: Librarian
			Contact_Address:
				Address_Type: mailing and physical address
				Address:
					USGS FRESC Snake River Field Station
					970 Lusk Street
				City: Boise
				State_or_Province: ID
				Postal_Code: 83706
				Country: USA
			Contact_Voice_Telephone: 208 426-5218
			Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 208 426-5210
	Resource_Description: Publication Control #: 1040
	Distribution_Liability:
		The USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center and its research partners make every effort to provide and maintain accurate, complete, usable, and timely information. However, some USGS data and information may, of necessity, be preliminary in nature. These data and information are provided with the understanding that they are not guaranteed to be correct or complete. Users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of these data and information before using them for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data and information. Conclusions drawn from, or actions undertaken on the basis of, such data and information are the sole responsibility of the user.
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	Standard_Order_Process:
		Non-digital_Form: Publications are available as reprints, reports, pamphlets, or brochures.
		Fees: None
		Ordering_Instructions: Request specific publications by reference number.
Metadata_Reference_Information:
	Metadata_Date: 20011104
	Metadata_Review_Date: 20011111
	Metadata_Contact:
		Contact_Information:
			Contact_Organization_Primary:
				Contact_Organization: Olendorff Library
			Contact_Position: Librarian
			Contact_Address:
				Address_Type: mailing and physical address
				Address:
					USGS FRESC Snake River Field Station
					970 Lusk Street
				City: Boise
				State_or_Province: ID
				Postal_Code: 83706
				Country: USA
			Contact_Voice_Telephone: 208 426-5218
			Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 208 426-5210
	Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
	Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999