fire ecology
Coverage of fire ecology in the Nexus archive.
- Colorado's firefighting strategies have evolved significantly over the decades — here's a look at the history
Colorado's firefighting strategies have evolved from full fire suppression to using technology, science, and pre-season mitigation efforts like forest thinning and prescribed burns. Brett Wolk of Colorado State University highlights the shift toward balancing fire's ecological role with risk reduction, emphasizing collaboration between researchers and fire agencies to improve response effectiveness.
- Scientists find thriving fungi, a hopeful sign where 1.3 million Joshua trees were burned
Scientists discovered thriving fungi in the soil of a burned Mojave Desert area where 1.3 million Joshua trees were destroyed by the 2020 Dome Fire. The fungi, which help plants absorb nutrients and survive harsh conditions, remained resilient despite the fire, offering hope for ecosystem recovery. The study, led by UC Riverside's Sydney Glassman, highlights the importance of these underground networks for Joshua tree survival.