Choosing my research project to study post-fire ecosystems has been a fun surprising challenge. Traversing over 5 kilometers of terrain, each 100m x 100m plot was carefully chosen to provide comprehensive coverage of the 10-hectare stand affected by the McDougal Creek Wildfire. It was evident during data collection that the fire had many different behavior changes throughout the park. My guess is that is based off the steep terrain, wind, temperature, relative humidity and density of the conifer canopy.
The data collected brought forth intriguing surprises that prompted me to possibly amend my initial hypotheses. While I had anticipated a direct correlation between conifer stand density and wildfire damage severity, my observations revealed a more nuanced reality. In certain areas, the expected correlations did not align entirely with my hypothesis, leading me to reconsider the complexities of post-fire ecosystems. As I plan for additional data collection, leveraging the strengths of systematic sampling to refine my understanding, I am also intrigued by other environmental effects that may influence my findings. Exploring the presence of fire smart treatments in sampled areas has could great impact variables that could contribute to the resilience or vulnerability of post-fire ecosystems.
If there is a large area of high stand density around your study area then the fire could have already been burning really hot when it hit that area?