Glacier Country News

Two studies from the University of Montana are shedding light on the challenges facing forest regeneration in the Western United States due to increasing wildfires and rising temperatures. The research highlights a growing gap between reforestation needs and current capabilities.

The first study, led by Solomon Dobrowski from the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, found that severe fires between 1984 and 2021 have created a need for reforesting 5.9 million acres in the Western U.S. Notably, 25% of this demand stems from just 20 large wildfires since 2000. With ongoing climate change, these reforestation needs could double or triple by 2050.

“Forests in the Western U.S. are contending with a lethal combination of severe fires that kill existing trees, coupled with increasingly inhospitable post-fire conditions that limit tree regeneration,” Dobrowski stated. He emphasized the necessity for increased reforestation efforts to preserve these forests.

The second study, co-authored by Dobrowski and led by Zach Holden from the Rocky Mountain Research Station, indicates that soil surface temperatures in 13% to 20% of forested areas exceed levels suitable for conifer seedling growth. This situation worsens as wildfires reduce tree cover, leaving soil exposed to higher temperatures.

“This means that relying on natural regeneration or tree planting may not be enough as the soil itself may be too hot for seedlings to successfully develop,” Holden explained.

A decline in timber and fiber industries over five decades has resulted in an unmet reforestation need covering approximately 3.8 million acres. Federal funding supports this research due to its urgency, with contributions from organizations like NASA and the National Science Foundation.

Dobrowski pointed out that reversing deforestation trends requires developing infrastructure such as greenhouses and seed nurseries capable of adapting to annual variations in wildfire damage while maintaining long-term sustainability. He suggested new economic incentives could modernize tree planting efforts using conservation financing.

“To improve the pace of the reforestation pipeline, the research underscores the need for a wider range of actions, such as increased public and private partnerships, as well as leadership and innovation,” he said.

Innovative strategies like climate-adapted seed zones and diverse fire-resistant planting patterns could enhance forest resilience moving forward.

This research coincides with UM Foundation's "Treasure Montana: Cultivating Our Tomorrow" campaign aimed at raising $20 million for environmental research facilities on campus. The campaign complements $25 million allocated by Montana Legislature in 2021.

For more information about supporting this initiative, visit TreasureMontana.org/Forest or contact Elizabeth Harrison at elizabeth.harrison@mso.umt.edu.