Case Study of Giant Sequoia National Monument, California, USA:
Using Science to Guide Heritage Site Management Plans
Background
Physical Change to the Giant
Sequoia Landscape
Ecological Effects of Fire Suppression
Low intensity fires are necessary for many California tree
species to survive.
• Geomorphological Change
- Increased numbers of visitors to the
protected areas compress soils near
trees and decrease water infiltration
The Giant Sequoia seeds do not open unless there is a
low-intensity fire. The fire-dominated ecology necessary to
manage the Giant Sequoia was central to the scientific
deliberations for the Protected Area. As a result of
intentional fire suppression starting in 1900, small trees
and shrubs grow much more thickly in California forests.
- Facilities cause erosion and sediment
deposition
Source: USFS
Science offers essential
guidance to managing living
heritage sites that are subject
to increased public use, and that are
subject to local, regional and global
effects.
Source: USFS
This presentation summarizes the
work of a Science Advisory Board in
advising the management of Giant Sequoia National Monument in
California, USA. This work was required by President of the United States
and the Science Advisory Board was selected by the US National
Academy of Sciences.
Issues Addressed by National
Academy Science Board
The Science Board debated
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Giant sequoia ecology and management
Fire and fuels management
Watersheds
Geomorphology
Geology
Air quality
Endangered species and habitats
Climate change
Appropriate units of land management
Impacts to areas outside the Monument by the Plan
Biophysical attributes affected by the plan
Transportation
Recreation
Collaborative management
Others
Establishing the Management Plan required balancing the need to
(1) restore and counteract the effects of a century of fire suppression
and logging, (2) address geomorphic change from increased human use
of the Monument, (3) create a single new plan from the many
overlapping plans already in existence, and (4) preserve the outstanding
values that led to the Monument designation.
Source: Mike Murphy
- Livestock grazing
- Fluvial geomorphology
Increasing number of visitors to the National Monument
impacts the local geomorphology. Source: Wildlink
When a fire starts it burns much hotter (high-intensity),
reaches canopies of large trees, and does far more
damage than before fire suppression began. High-intensity fire is a threat to the
survival of the Giant Sequoia in the Monument.
- Water quality degradation
• Biophysical changes
• Fire management strategy
• Climate change
- Less water and snow
- Higher temperatures during critical
summer
Fire Return Intervals are
Increasing
Livestock grazing around the Giant Sequoias alters
the physical landscape. Source: Firstcampingtrip.com
• Effects of air pollution on sequoia
habitat
• Numerous public perception
challenges
The Giant Sequoia landscape has been changing as a result
of climate change; the area has been experiencing higher
temperatures in the summer and receiving less rain and
snow in the winter. Source: National Geographic
The Science Board began its meetings with a recital of its
purpose proclaimed by the President: ''To provide scientific
guidance during the development of the initial management
plan."
The scope of Science Board advice was restricted to
the charter in the National Monument Proclamation;
this kept discussion focused on key management
issues.
The Giant Sequoia National Monument Scientific Advisory Board
developed 27 advisories by unanimous consent.
The Science Board communicated their results in the
form of written advisories delivered immediately
after agreement. This provided real-time advice to
land managers. Advisories were organized as:
The Board stayed within the bounds of objective, scientifically
grounded, discourse when rendering its advice.
The 27 issues are ones of broad scientific agreement; remaining
areas of controversy were to be resolved by negotiation rather
than litigation.
All but one of the Advisories was followed,
and established a science-based
management program that is still very
active.
Importance of Stand-Alone Plan
The Advice to make a stand-alone management plan, rather than
refer to numerous separate national and regional plans that
already existed at the time of, was not followed. As a result,
there was a successful legal challenge, requiring that a
stand-alone plan be prepared.
(Presented in Years Between Fires)
Forest Type
Red Fir Tree
After 1900
1,644 years
Before 1900
26
Mixed Conifer:
Fir Dominated
644
12
Mixed Conifer:
Pine Dominated
185
15
Ponderosa Pine
Tree
192
11
Blue Oak Tree
78
8
Lessons Learned
Outcomes
President Clinton next to the giant
sequoia where the Proclamation was
signed (April 2000). Giant Sequoia
National Monument is unique as it is
the only national monument in
California that was designated by
presidential proclamation.
Source: USFS
Prescribed fire for fuel reduction
next to a giant sequoia. Source: USFS
Return Interval of Fires
Frequent fire was a common agent
The top photo from 1900 shows an open
of change to mountain forests in
landscape of trees. Frequent low intensity
fire maintains this ecosystem. The photo
California. Before 1900, fires on the
below shows the same scene in 1994. As a
result of a century of fire suppression
landscape
always
occurred
more
there is much denser vegetation with
ladder fuels: the next fire will reach the
frequently than 1 per 30 years, and
crowns of trees and restart ecosystem
commonly 1 per 15 years.
succession at bare ground.
Source: Gruell 2001
The U.S. Forest Service began a
program of fire suppression, greatly reducing the incidence of
fire. Fires are now typically less frequent than 1 per 200 years.
- Colonization by invasive species
adapted to pace of change
• Effect of fires on local air quality
Daniel Tormey, Ph.D.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Issue
Facts supporting the Issue
Implications for the monument
Advice to land manager
At the start of each meeting, the land managers had
to report on how the advice was addressed.
Daniel Tormey, Ph.D.
Ramboll ENVIRON
Los Angeles, California, USA
[email protected]
[email protected]
Giant Sequoias were featured
in National Geographic
in December 2012.
The tree pictured, known as
President, is the second
largest tree in the world.
Source: National Geographic
Individual Science Board members wrote and
circulated specific advisories prior to meetings; this focused discussion to
specific advisories. All meetings were public, and held near or in the
Monument. This helped with credibility, and provided important local context.
The Science Board recommended a stand-alone Management Plan
for Giant Sequoia National Monument. This advice was
originally not followed, but a subsequent legal challenge
resulted in the establishment of a stand-alone Management Plan
• Ph.D., Geology and Geochemistry,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• B.S., Civil Engineering and Geology,
Stanford University
• Consultant in water resources,
energy, and land management
• National Academy of Sciences,
Science Advisory Board for Giant
Sequoia National Monument
• UNESCO World Heritage Site List
review committee since 2009
• IUCN Geoscience Specialist Group
• Volcanologist for Cruz del Sur, an
emergency response and contingency
planning organization in Chile
• Executive in Residence, California
Polytechnic University San Luis
Obispo, USA
• Steering Committee for California
Council for Science and Technology
Hydraulic Fracturing Study
• Society of Petroleum Engineers
Distinguished Lecturer 2015
For an electronic copy or for more information: [email protected]