Publication Date

Summer 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor

Will Russell; Rachel O’Malley; Benjamin Carter

Abstract

Fire is a common disturbance in the western United States, and variation in its frequency and intensity can significantly impact species recovery and distribution across ecosystems. While fire frequency and intensity are increasing in coast redwood forests, little is known about how this forest type responds to high-intensity wildfires. In 2020, a high-intensity wildfire burned large portions of the coast redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains, including over 1,700 ha of old-growth. This event created a unique opportunity to evaluate post-fire succession. This research assessed vegetation recovery across high and low to moderate severity burned areas using random sampling at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Data collected four years post-fire were compared to one-year post-fire surveys and included trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were used to assess recovery over time and by burn severity. Results indicate significant increases in shrub and herbaceous cover, with fire-adapted Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Eschsch. dominating high-severity burned areas. Herbaceous species also exhibited recovery, though non-native plants cover increased, potentially influencing long-term succession. Tree regeneration was primarily driven by basal sprouting, ensuring coast redwood persistence, though both Douglas-fir and coast redwood also showed significant seedling recruitment. These findings underscore the complex interactions shaping post-fire forest dynamics and highlight the importance of understanding such patterns to inform management strategies that support the resiliency of coast redwood forests in an era of increasing wildfires.

Download

Share

COinS