They say if you want forest heterogeneity, just get a larger group of foresters to mark the stand. While it is true that not every forester marks the same, it is often challenging if we want to intentionally create spatial variability–especially if we want to emulate spatial patterns that would be typical for a specific forest type and natural disturbance regime. The ICO method (which stands for individuals, clumps, and openings) is a stand-level tool developed in the western United States to help foresters restore the patterns of individual trees, clumps, and openings commonly found in pine/mixed conifer forests shaped by frequent fire disturbance. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Sean Jeronimo, as we learn how this method is applied in the field and how it may be useful in a variety of forest types shaped by fire.
