Revitalized Karuk and Yurok cultural burning to enhance California hazelnut for basketweaving in northwestern California, USA

Abstract Background Karuk and Yurok tribes in northwestern California, USA, are revitalizing the practice of cultural burning, which is use prescribed burns to enhance culturally important species. These critical livelihoods indigenous peoples, were widespread prior establishment fire exclusion policies. One major objectives burning California hazelnut ( Corylus cornuta Marsh var. californica ) basketry stem production for basketweavers. To evaluate as a form human ecosystem engineering, we monitored production, qualities, shrub density 48 plots (400 m 2 within two 19 burn sites. Socio-ecological variables that analyzed included frequency, season, overstory tree (≥10 cm diameter at breast height) basal area, ungulate browse, aspect. We also observed gathering compare travel distances, rates, basketweaver preferences across sites with different histories land tenure. Results Hazelnut shrubs, one growing season post burn, produced 13-fold increase stems compared shrubs least three seasons P < 0.0001). Basketry length displayed negative relationships area 0.01) browse Plots burned high frequency (at events from 1989 2019) had 1.86-fold greater than experiencing less 0.0001), all located on Reservation where tenure people comparatively stronger. Basketweavers travelled 3.8-fold distance reach by wildfires those 0.01). At sites, wildfire fire-excluded mean rates 4.9, 1.6, 0.5 per minute individual, respectively. Conclusions regimes frequencies e.g., five years) promote densities production. This improves efficiency lowers costs support revitalization vital practice. Our findings provide evidence positive show increasing tribal sovereignty over management socio-economic well-being while same time supports measures structure function.