Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Stephens, Scott L
• Burrows, Neil
• Buyantuyev, Alexander
• Gray, Robert W
• Keane, Robert E
• Kubian, Rick
• Liu, Shirong
• Seijo, Francisco
• Shu, Lifu
• Tolhurst, Kevin G
• van Wagtendonk, Jan W

Titel

Temperate and boreal forest mega-fires: characteristics and challenges

Ist Teil von

• Frontiers in ecology and the environment, 2014-03, Vol.12 (2), p.115-122

Ort / Verlag

Ecological Society of America

Erscheinungsjahr

2014

Quelle

Wiley-Blackwell Full Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Mega-fires are often defined according to their size and intensity but are more accurately described by their socioeconomic impacts. Three factors - climate change, fire exclusion, and antecedent disturbance, collectively referred to as the "mega-fire triangle" - likely contribute to today's mega-fires. Some characteristics of mega-fires may emulate historical fire regimes and can therefore sustain healthy fire-prone ecosystems, but other attributes decrease ecosystem resiliency. A good example of a program that seeks to mitigate mega-fires is located in Western Australia, where prescribed burning reduces wildfire intensity while conserving ecosystems. Crown-fire-adapted ecosystems are likely at higher risk of frequent mega-fires as a result of climate change, as compared with other ecosystems once subject to frequent less severe fires. Fire and forest managers should recognize that mega-fires will be a part of future wildland fire regimes and should develop strategies to reduce their undesired impacts.