Existing comment:
The Burn Mosaic:
On the fire-swept slopes of Bunsen Peak, blackened swaths alternate with green, seemingly untouched stands of conifers. Wildfires do not burn evenly. Wind, terrain, moisture, the amount of deadwood on the forest floor, affect how thoroughly a fire burns. Throughout Yellowstone's burned areas, you can see this hopscotch pattern or mosaic of completely charred, slightly singed, and untouched vegetation.
The uneven burns are a boon to wildlife. After a fire, the varied habitat of young and old forest interspersed with meadows attracts a greater diversity of birds and mammals. Mountain bluebirds return to nest in dead snags. Elk thrive in the habitat mix, using meadows for forage and dense forest for shelter. |