Tree Mortality Following Drought in the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada
Speaker(s): Christopher Fettig, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Description: Mortality of ponderosa pine was highest at the lowest elevations, concentrated in large trees, and attributed mostly to western pine beetle. Tree mortality was positively correlated with initial live tree density and slope. Tree regeneration was dominated by incense cedar and oak, representing a potential shift in overstory composition.

The Forest Beneath Our Feet: Subsurface Drivers and Ecohydrological Consequences of Drought Stress Across California
Speaker(s): David Dralle, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Description: In this presentation, we will dig deeply to explore the ways that subsurface water storage regulates tree and stream behavior in drought.

Drought, Tree Mortality, and Regeneration in Northern California
Speaker(s): Sophia Lemmo, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
Description: This proposal addresses recent tree mortality and regeneration trends in Northern California and how trends differed before, during, and after the 2012-2016 drought. We found these forests are not actively perpetuating as diversely. Targeted management aimed at generating disturbances to foster balanced and responsive regeneration, and resilient forests is needed.

Alternative Fuel-Reduction Treatments Interact with Local Stand Characteristics to Influence Tree Vigor and Mortality in the Southern Cascades, California, USA
Speaker(s): Christopher Looney, USFS PSW Research Station
Description: Alternative fuel-reduction treatments may differ in their long-term potential for improving tree vigor and avoiding tree mortality. Here we investigate how treatments interact with local tree, site, and stand characteristics to influence treatment success. Our results suggest fuel-reduction treatments alter important interactions between fire-tolerant and fire-intolerant conifer species.

Tree Resistance to Drought and Bark Beetle-associated Mortality Following Thinning and Prescribed Fire Treatments
Speaker(s): Alexis Bernal, University of California-Berkeley
Description: Our study highlights the beneficial impacts of thinning and prescribed fire treatments to promote tree resistance to drought and bark beetle-associate mortality across multiple species, including maintaining tree growth and promoting defense systems against beetles despite multiple years of severe drought.

Tree Mortality Response in California: Lessons Learned and Suggestions for Future Events
Speaker(s): Ramiro Rojas, Pacific Southwest Region, USDA Forest Service
Description: Tree mortality in California crosses all land ownerships. It is important that government, citizens, and private industry work together to mitigate hazards and create more resilient forests. The USDA Forest Service's response to the tree morality event in California will be highlighted. Suggestions for responding to future events are shared.

SAF CFE: 1.5 Category 1
ESA CEU: 0.375