Robert E. Keane, Research Ecologist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, rkeane@fs.fed.us 

Bob Keane has been a Research Ecologist with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory since 1994.  His most recent research includes (1) developing ecological computer simulation models for the exploring landscape, fire, and climate dynamics, (2) conducting basic research in wildland fuel science, and (3) investigating the ecology and restoration of whitebark pine.  He received his B.S. degree in forest engineering from the University of Maine, Orono; his M.S. degree in forest ecology from the University of Montana, Missoula; and his Ph.D. degree in forest ecology from the University of Idaho, Moscow. 

ABSTRACT

Interacting interactions: effects of climate change on forest vegetation and wildland fire in the Northern Rockies  

Complex reciprocal interactions among humans, disturbance, climate, and vegetation dramatically alter spatial landscape patterns and influence ecosystem dynamics. Frequencies and severities of native and exotic disturbances are likely to change with changes in climate, and their interactions could result in novel landscape structures and composition.  The landscape model FireBGCv2 has be used to explore human-ecological dynamics across several heterogeneous landscapes in the US northern Rocky Mountains.  In this talk, we will present results of a set of studies where climate change impacts on wildland fire regimes and ecosystem structure and composition were explored.