characterization of Fuel before and after a Single Prescribed Fire in an Appalachian Hardwood

Improved understanding of how fuel loads and prescribed fire interact in Appalachian hordwood forests can help managers evaluate the impacts of inueased use of prescribed fire in the region. The objective of this study was to characterize fuelloods before and aher a single late-winter/early spring prescribed fire and aher autumn leaf fall. A repeated measures split-plot design was used to examine dead and down fuels by treatment, sampling time, and londscope position. Preburn mean fuel moss was 40.S Mg/ha with the duff (Oea) comprising the largesl component (19.5 Mg/ha; 48%), followed by large (more than 7.6 cm in diameter) downed logs (9.6 Mg/ha; 24%). Fuel mass was similar across landscape positions; however, duff depth was greater on subxeric compared with intermediate and submesic landscape positions. Burning reduced liner moss (Oi; P < 0.001) and duff depth (P = 0.01). Changes in woody fuels (1-, 10-, 100" and l,OOO-hour) and duff mass were not statistically significant. Post-Ieof fall fuel masses did not differ hom preburn masses. Thus, a single prescribed burn did not accomplish significant fuel reduction. However, significant declines in duff depth and fuel bed continuity may limit the spread of fire beyond leaf foil and increase potential for soil erosion. This study contributes to the dialogue regarding the use of fire in the Appalachian forest region and impocts on fuel loads.