Secondary Succession Question!?

Question

What would the possible long-term positive and negative effects of the fires, which struck much of the American West in 2005?

Answer 1

Negative effects would be the amount of trees killed during the fires, as well as the possible loss of soil nutrients due to burning. The positive effects include setting back succession which is good for many wildlife species, the reduction of fuel loads (items which can burn) which will cause less severe fires in the future,  and the removal of trees and other plants that are suffering from diseases or pests which reduces the likely hood of mass breakouts throughout the forest.

It is important to remember that fire is a natural force in nature and is vital to a healthy ecosystem. The only times that a fire is truly destructive is when it is repressed for years allowing fuel loads to reach unnatural unsafe levels. This is when fire sweeps through and actually damages the landscape.