This project will mesh measurements of conifer seedling physiological tolerance, seed addition experiments and microclimate observations to determine where, when and why conifer recruitment fails after high severity wildfire. We will:

• disentangle seed limitation from survival limitation to understand the mechanisms of type conversion
• explore where shrub cover exacerbates versus ameliorates regeneration failure to understand the implications of shrubs for restoration efforts
• produce a prediction tool based on physiological thresholds and microclimate modeling that will allow land managers to identify where seedling regeneration will be limited for five Sierran conifer species.

This project supports the California Wildfire Resilience and Action Plan as well as the California Forest Carbon Plan by elucidating drought interactions with fire to help avoid post-fire type conversion and loss of carbon storage potential in CALFIRE high priority landscapes.