Explore how forest fuels accumulate and change under fire in the Great Smoky Mountains.
This nonfiction study analyzes how low-elevation forests store and shed fuel, how decay and litter input shape fuel loads, and what fire history means for management in a national park setting. The book frames fuel dynamics with field data, showing how different forest types respond to fire suppression and disturbance, and what that means for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
- Learn how litter, downed wood, and organic matter contribute to fuel beds across forest types
- See how decay rates vary by species and position in the tree
- Understand how fire history and disturbance influence forest fuels and stand structure
- Get a management-oriented view of how to approach fuel buildup and fire risk in protected areas
Ideal for readers of forest ecology, land management, and park service planning who want a grounded, data-driven look at forest fuels.