Tree Regeneration Following Fire as Evidence of Timberline Stability in the Colorado Front Range, U.S.A.

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that the upper-limit of tree growth in the Colorado Front Range is being lowered by climatic cooling and that the present timberline is a remnant of past development and is maintained by microclimatic conditions induced by the forest stand. Quantitative data collected at a timberline site severely disturbed by fire indicates that tree regeneration is occurring. Tree establishmeht began shortly after disturbance in 1905 and is presently continuing. Increasing rates of seedling establishment and survival suggest that a forest stand is redeveloping at the same altitude and area where timberline previously existed.