A comprehensive exploration of the effects of fires--in forests and other environments--on soils, watersheds, vegetation, air and cultural resources.

Historical and prescribed fire regimes for different regions in the continental U.S. were compared and literature on season of prescribed burning synthesized. In regions and vegetation types where considerable differences in fuel consumption exist among burning seasons, the effects of prescribed fire season appears to be driven more by fire-intensity differences among seasons than by phenology or growth stage of organisms at the time of fire. Where fuel consumption differs little among burning seasons, the effect of phenology or growth stage of organisms is often more apparent, because it is not overwhelmed by fire-intensity differences. Species in ecosystems that evolved with fire appear to be resilient to one or few out-of-season prescribed burns. Illus.

Papers from a symposium on the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel, called in response to the building of an observatory on the mountain by the University of Arizona, offers a comprehensive picture of the ecological conditions and the impacts of natural and man-mad changes on the squirrel and its mountain home.

Proceedings of a conf. on the major problems facing grasslands in arid & semi-arid regions of the U.S. & Mexico & to seek solutions to those problems. Grasslands in many parts of the Southwest & northern Mexico are facing serious threats -- from urbanization & subdivision development to spread of invasive plant species to conflicts over grazing policy. Target groups for participation included private landowners, non-profit groups, government agencies, environmental advocates, economists, scientists, etc. Emphasized practical, hands-on mgmt. methods, including time in grasslands managed under a variety of techniques.