Fire | Special Issue : Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project

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14 pages, 5114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immediate Response of Carabids to Small-Scale Wildfire Across a Healthy-Edge-Burnt Gradient in Young Managed Coniferous Forest in Central Europe

by Václav Zumr, Jiří Remeš and Oto Nakládal

Fire 2024, 7(12), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7120436 - 26 Nov 2024

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Abstract

Wildfire is a type of disturbance that plays a critical role in affecting forest ecosystems. Wildfires also have a significant effect on shaping arthropods communities. Carabids (family Carabidae) are often used as a bioindicator group of altered biocenoses. Methods: For carabid sampling, pitfall [...] Read more.

Wildfire is a type of disturbance that plays a critical role in affecting forest ecosystems. Wildfires also have a significant effect on shaping arthropods communities. Carabids (family Carabidae) are often used as a bioindicator group of altered biocenoses. Methods: For carabid sampling, pitfall traps were used in three habitats, healthy-edge-burnt, fifteen days after the suppression of wildfire. Seven traps were evenly placed on each transect. In total, twenty-one traps were used for the study. Aim of the study: (i) evaluate the overall diversity of carabids, (ii) sex change and distribution within the studied habitats, (iii) dynamics of pyrophilous carabids. Results: In total, 1051 individuals within 42 species were recorded. The total number of species was higher in the edge and burnt habitats and differed from the healthy habitat. The abundance of carabids did not differ significantly across the three habitats. However, the healthy habitat exhibited both lower species numbers and abundance. Communities, species richness, and diversity indices were similar in the edge and burnt habitats, while the healthy habitat had lower species richness, diversity indices, and more homogenized communities. The overall sex ratio was nearly equal, with females comprising 519 individuals (49.4%) and males 532 individuals (50.6%), showing nonsignificant differences among study habitats. Among the nine most dominant species, a general trend of female dominance was observed. Many species showed different patterns in sex distribution in relation to the study habitats. Pyrophilous species accounted for the majority of individuals, comprising 55% of all carabids in the burnt habitat, predominantly represented by Pterostichus quadrifoveolatus. The rare species Sericoda quadripunctata was observed infrequently with only twenty-three individuals recorded. These two species are highly correlated, potentially indicating their near-habitat requirements. Males of pyrophilous species in general colonize the area in the earliest post-fire period. Conclusions: The immediate response of carabids to forest wildfire is significant, primarily influencing species richness and communities. While wildfire did not affect overall sex distribution, it shaped interspecies sex distribution across the study habitats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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19 pages, 3410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Drought and Fire Severity Interaction on Short-Term Post-Fire Recovery of the Mediterranean Forest of South America

by Ana Hernández-Duarte, Freddy Saavedra, Erick González, Alejandro Miranda, Jean-Pierre Francois, Marcelo Somos-Valenzuela and Jason Sibold

Fire 2024, 7(12), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7120428 - 22 Nov 2024

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Abstract

Wildfires and drought stressors can significantly limit forest recovery in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Since 2010, the region of central Chile has experienced a prolonged Mega Drought, which intensified into a Hyper Drought in 2019, characterized by record-low precipitation and high temperatures, further constraining forest [...] Read more.

Wildfires and drought stressors can significantly limit forest recovery in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Since 2010, the region of central Chile has experienced a prolonged Mega Drought, which intensified into a Hyper Drought in 2019, characterized by record-low precipitation and high temperatures, further constraining forest recovery. This study evaluates short-term (5-year) post-fire vegetation recovery across drought gradients in two types of evergreen sclerophyllous forests and a thorny forest and shrubland, analyzing Landsat time series (1987–2022) from 42 wildfires. Using the LandTrendr algorithm, we assessed post-fire forest recovery based on NDVI changes between pre-fire values and subsequent years. The results reveal significant differences in recovery across drought gradients during the Hyper Drought period, among the three forest types studied. The xeric forest, dominated by Quillaja saponaria and Lithrea caustica, showed significant interaction effects between levels of drought and fire severity, while the thorny forest and shrubland displayed no significant interaction effects. The mesic forest, dominated by Cryptocarya alba and Peumus boldus, exhibited additional significant differences in recovery between the Hyper Drought and Mega Drought periods, along with significant interaction effects. These findings underscore the critical role of prolonged, severe drought in shaping forest recovery dynamics and highlight the need to understand these patterns to improve future forest resilience under increasingly arid conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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21 pages, 14182 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transferability of Empirical Models Derived from Satellite Imagery for Live Fuel Moisture Content Estimation and Fire Risk Prediction

by Eva Marino, Lucía Yáñez, Mercedes Guijarro, Javier Madrigal, Francisco Senra, Sergio Rodríguez and José Luis Tomé

Fire 2024, 7(8), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7080276 - 6 Aug 2024

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Abstract

Estimating live fuel moisture content (LFMC) is critical for assessing vegetation flammability and predicting potential fire behaviour, thus providing relevant information for wildfire prevention and management. Previous research has demonstrated that empirical modelling based on spectral data derived from remote sensing is useful [...] Read more.

Estimating live fuel moisture content (LFMC) is critical for assessing vegetation flammability and predicting potential fire behaviour, thus providing relevant information for wildfire prevention and management. Previous research has demonstrated that empirical modelling based on spectral data derived from remote sensing is useful for retrieving LFMC. However, these types of models are often very site-specific and generally considered difficult to extrapolate. In the present study, we analysed the performance of empirical models based on Sentinel-2 spectral data for estimating LFMC in fire-prone shrubland dominated by Cistus ladanifer. We used LFMC data collected in the field between June 2021 and September 2022 in 27 plots in the region of Andalusia (southern Spain). The specific objectives of the study included (i) to test previous existing models fitted for the same shrubland species in a different study area in the region of Madrid (central Spain); (ii) to calibrate empirical models with the field data from the region of Andalusia, comparing the model performance with that of existing models; and (iii) to test the capacity of the best empirical models to predict decreases in LFMC to critical threshold values in historical wildfire events. The results showed that the empirical models derived from Sentinel-2 data provided accurate LFMC monitoring, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 15% in the estimation of LFMC variability throughout the year and with the MAE decreasing to 10% for the critical lower LFMC values (<100%). They also showed that previous models could be easily recalibrated for extrapolation to different geographical areas, yielding similar errors to the specific empirical models fitted in the study area in an independent validation. Finally, the results showed that decreases in LFMC in historical wildfire events were accurately predicted by the empirical models, with LFMC <80% in this fire-prone shrubland species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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18 pages, 5261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Pinus halepensis Forests’ Vulnerability Using the Temporal Dynamics of Carbon Stocks and Fire Traits in Tunisia

by Fatma Rezgui, Florent Mouillot, Nabil Semmar, Lobna Zribi, Abdelhamid Khaldi, Zouheir Nasr and Fatma Gharbi

Fire 2024, 7(6), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060204 - 17 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Carbon stocks provide information that is essential for analyzing the role of forests in global climate mitigation, yet they are highly vulnerable to wildfires in Mediterranean ecosystems. These carbon stocks’ exposure to fire is usually estimated from specific allometric equations relating tree height [...] Read more.

Carbon stocks provide information that is essential for analyzing the role of forests in global climate mitigation, yet they are highly vulnerable to wildfires in Mediterranean ecosystems. These carbon stocks’ exposure to fire is usually estimated from specific allometric equations relating tree height and diameter to the overall amount of aboveground carbon storage. Assessments of vulnerability to fire additionally allow for specific fire resistance (bark thickness, crown basal height) and post-fire recovery traits (cone mass for regeneration, and fine branches or leaves mass for flammability) to be accounted for. These traits are usually considered as static, and their temporal dynamic is rarely assessed, thus preventing a full assessment of carbon stocks’ vulnerability and subsequent cascading effects. This study aimed to measure the pools of carbon stocks of individual trees varying between 30 and 96 years old in the Djbel Mansour Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forest in semi-arid central Tunisia in the southern range of its distribution to fit a sigmoid equation of the carbon pools and traits recovery according to age as a vulnerability framework. Allometric equations were then developed to establish the relationships between fire vulnerability traits and dendrometric independent variables (diameter at breast height, height, and live crown length) for further use in regional vulnerability assessments. The total carbon stocks in trees varied from 29.05 Mg C ha⁻¹ to 92.47 Mg C ha⁻¹. The soil organic carbon stock (SOC) at a maximum soil depth of 0–40 cm varied from 31.67 Mg C ha⁻¹ to 115.67 Mg C ha⁻¹ at a soil depth of 0–70 cm. We could identify an increasing resistance related to increasing bark thickness and basal crown height with age, and enhanced regeneration capacity after 25 years of age with increasing cone biomass, converging toward increasing vulnerability and potential cascading effects under shorter interval fires. These results should be considered for rigorous forest carbon sequestration assessment under increasing fire hazards due to climate and social changes in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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19 pages, 5432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Burn Severity and Postfire Salvage Logging Effects on Vegetation and Soil System in a Short-Term Period in Mediterranean Pine Forests

by Esther Peña-Molina, Daniel Moya, Álvaro Fajardo-Cantos, Fuensanta García-Orenes, Jorge Mataix-Solera, Victoria Arcenegui, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja and Jorge de las Heras

Fire 2024, 7(4), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7040127 - 9 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1704

Abstract

Wildfires are a natural part of the dynamics of Mediterranean forest ecosystems. The fire patterns in the Mediterranean basin have been altered mainly due to changes in land use and climate change. In 2017, a wildfire in Yeste (Spain) burned 3200 hectares of [...] Read more.

Wildfires are a natural part of the dynamics of Mediterranean forest ecosystems. The fire patterns in the Mediterranean basin have been altered mainly due to changes in land use and climate change. In 2017, a wildfire in Yeste (Spain) burned 3200 hectares of two Mediterranean pine forests. We investigated the effects of burn severity and postfire salvage logging practices on vegetation and soil properties in four experimental areas distributed within the wildfire perimeter. These areas included unburned, low, high, and high burn severity with salvage logging, all located under Pinus halepensis Mill and Pinus pinaster Aiton stands. Salvage logging was applied 18 months after the fire. We established 72 circular plots (nine per treatment and pine species). We collected soil samples to analyze physicochemical and biological soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM) content, carbon from microbial biomass (CBM), basal soil respiration (BSR), metabolic quotient (qCO₂), and two enzymatic activities: β-glucosidase (GLU) and phosphatase (PHP). To understand how vegetation changed after fire, we implemented three linear transects per plot to calculate α-diversity indices (richness, Shannon, and Simpson), vegetation coverage (COBV), fraction of bare soil (BSOIL), the number of postfire seedlings (NSeed) and their average height (Hm), and we grouped vegetation into different postfire adaptive strategies: facultative seeder (R+S+), obligate resprouter (R+S−), obligate seeder (R−S+), and non-fire-adapted (R−S−). We ran ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests to evaluate the differences between burn severity and salvage logging practices on the variables examined for each pine stand. We used PCA and correlation analysis to identify plant-soil interactions. Our results suggest that Pinus halepensis stands were more affected by the wildfire than Pinus pinaster stands due to the distinct characteristics of each species (morphology of the leaves, bark thickness, cone structure, etc.) and the significant differences observed in terms of pH, SOM, CBM, qCO₂, GLU, PHP, and Nseed. The proportion of obligate resprouter species was higher in Pinus halepensis stands, and the obligate seeder species were higher in Pinus pinaster stands. The study highlighted the importance of monitoring burn severity and postfire management practices to promote forest recovery and reduce wildfire risk. Limiting the negative impact of postfire salvage logging practices can enhance the resilience of vulnerable ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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25 pages, 1676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Site Quality Models and Fuel Load Dynamic Equation Systems Disaggregated by Size Fractions and Vegetative States in Gorse and High Heath Shrublands in Galicia (NW Spain)

by José A. Vega, Juan Gabriel Álvarez-González, Stéfano Arellano-Pérez, Cristina Fernández and Ana Daría Ruiz-González

Fire 2024, 7(4), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7040126 - 9 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1186

Abstract

Compatible model systems were developed for estimating fuel load dynamics in Ulex europaeus (gorse) and in Erica australis (Spanish heath) dominated shrub communities at stand level. The models were based on intensive, detailed destructive field sampling and were fitted simultaneously to fulfill the [...] Read more.

Compatible model systems were developed for estimating fuel load dynamics in Ulex europaeus (gorse) and in Erica australis (Spanish heath) dominated shrub communities at stand level. The models were based on intensive, detailed destructive field sampling and were fitted simultaneously to fulfill the additivity principle. The models enable, for the first time, estimation of the biomass dynamics of the total shrub layer, size fractions and vegetative stage, with reasonably good accuracy. The approach used addresses the high variability in shrub biomass estimates by using a site index (SI) based on biomass levels at a reference age of 10 years. Analysis of the effect of climatic variables on site index confirmed the preference of gorse for mild temperatures and the ability of high heath communities to tolerate a wider range of temperatures. In the gorse communities, SI tended to increase as summer rainfall and the mean temperature of the coldest month increased. However, in the heath communities, no relationships were observed between SI and any of the climatic variables analyzed. The study findings may be useful for assessing and monitoring fuel hazards, updating fuel mapping, planning and implementing fuel reduction treatments and predicting fire behavior, among other important ecological and biomass use-related applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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19 pages, 13321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Defining Disadvantaged Places: Social Burdens of Wildfire Exposure in the Eastern United States, 2000–2020

by Grayson R. Morgan, Erin M. Kemp, Margot Habets, Kyser Daniels-Baessler, Gwyneth Waddington, Susana Adamo, Carolynne Hultquist and Susan L. Cutter

Fire 2024, 7(4), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7040124 - 8 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1621

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between wildfire exposure, social vulnerability, and community resilience across the 26 states east of the Mississippi River. This work centers around one research question: are there spatial differences in wildfire exposure that disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities in the [...] Read more.

This study explores the relationship between wildfire exposure, social vulnerability, and community resilience across the 26 states east of the Mississippi River. This work centers around one research question: are there spatial differences in wildfire exposure that disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities in the Eastern United States over the recent period (2000–2020)? Employing remotely sensed wildfire data and ancillary datasets, we analyze and map the extensive wildfire exposure in the Eastern United States and compare it with spatial metrics of social vulnerability and community resilience to examine the social burdens of wildfire exposure in the Eastern U.S. A discernible wildfire exposure pattern emerges, with the Southeast bearing the highest exposure levels, largely attributed to human-caused and prescribed burning. By establishing a measure of disadvantaged counties using social vulnerability and community resilience, we identify regions where wildfire exposures could have the most adverse impact—areas characterized by highly vulnerable populations and limited community capacity to respond effectively to potential events. In evaluating wildfire risk, we conclude that considering not only exposure levels but also the inclusion of disadvantaged areas (incorporating social vulnerability and community resilience) is essential for understanding the disparate impact of wildfires on individuals and the communities where they live. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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13 pages, 1975 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Fire on Multiple Tree Species in the Eastern Deciduous Forest

by James H. Speer, Darrin L. Rubino and Joseph R. Robb

Fire 2024, 7(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7010022 - 9 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2262

Abstract

Fire is a disturbance that serves to maintain the diverse mosaic of vegetation in the Eastern Deciduous Forest. However, our ability to reconstruct fire occurrence from hardwood tree scars still lags far behind our expertise in reconstructing fire history from conifers in the [...] Read more.

Fire is a disturbance that serves to maintain the diverse mosaic of vegetation in the Eastern Deciduous Forest. However, our ability to reconstruct fire occurrence from hardwood tree scars still lags far behind our expertise in reconstructing fire history from conifers in the western United States. This study examines the fidelity of fire scaring in multiple tree species in the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana, which is located in the central hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. All 15 species, except for red oak, showed evidence of past fires, and most samples recorded multiple fire events. No fire scars were recorded in the latewood of the samples. Most of the fires scars occurred in the earlywood (May) suggesting the dormant season fires are likely associated with fires in March to April before the growing season begins. No synchronous fires were recorded across all sites, but fires occurred in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, and 1988 across multiple sites. This suggests that these were larger spreading fires. Establishment pulses were documented in association with fire events in 1981, 1984, and 1995, suggesting that fire may benefit the establishment or root sprouting of some hardwood species. Fourteen of the fifteen species that we sampled preserved fire scars, suggesting that the diverse suite of species in the Eastern Deciduous Forest is a viable sampling pool for examining fire history across this forest type. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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19 pages, 3521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empirical Modelling of Stem Cambium Heating Caused by Prescribed Burning in Mediterranean Pine Forest

by Javier Madrigal, Óscar Rodríguez de Rivera, Cristina Carrillo, Mercedes Guijarro, Carmen Hernando, José A. Vega, Pablo Martin-Pinto, Juan R. Molina, Cristina Fernández and Juncal Espinosa

Fire 2023, 6(11), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6110430 - 9 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2086

Abstract

Little is known about the interactions between the variables involved in the post-fire response of Mediterranean pine species to prescribed burning (PB). Thus, it is essential to develop an empirical model in order to assess the influence of tree and stand attributes, burn [...] Read more.

Little is known about the interactions between the variables involved in the post-fire response of Mediterranean pine species to prescribed burning (PB). Thus, it is essential to develop an empirical model in order to assess the influence of tree and stand attributes, burn season, and fire severity on the probability of stem cambium damage occurring. Prescribed burnings were conducted in different seasons and areas covering a wide climatic and ecological range. Potential explanatory variables were measured. A random effects hurdle model framework was used to evaluate the temperature duration above 60 °C as a proxy for stem cambium damage at tree scale. The results showed significant differences in cambium damage between the PB seasons. Pinus nigra was more resistant than other pine species. Bark thickness was critical for protecting cambium. Volume of crown scorch, percentage of stem scorch, and maximum outer bark temperature were directly related to temperature duration above 60 °C in the cambium. Prescribed burning conducted under tree canopy in Mediterranean pine species generally results in a low level of cambium damage. Empirical models could help managers to predict the effects of PB and thus select the most suitable prescriptions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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13 pages, 4093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Limit of Moisture Content of the Sub-Surface Fires Converted to the Surface Fires in the Boreal Forests of China

by Yanlong Shan, Xiang Chen, Sainan Yin, Lili Cao, Shuyuan Tang, Bo Yu and Chenxi Cui

Fire 2023, 6(9), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6090364 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1436

Abstract

A sub-surface forest fire is a type of smoldering combustion with a slower spread rate, longer combustion time, and lower combustion temperature compared with flame combustion. Sub-surface fires are usually accompanied by surface fires, and the surface fires’ conversion from sub-surface fires has [...] Read more.

A sub-surface forest fire is a type of smoldering combustion with a slower spread rate, longer combustion time, and lower combustion temperature compared with flame combustion. Sub-surface fires are usually accompanied by surface fires, and the surface fires’ conversion from sub-surface fires has great uncertainty. Therefore, there are considerable difficulties in monitoring and fighting sub-surface fires. However, there are few studies on the conversion from sub-surface fires to surface fires, and the mechanism and influencing factors of the conversion remain unclear. This study focuses on Larix gmelinii forests, which are representative of the boreal forest of China and hot spots of sub-surface fires, studies the moisture content limit of sub-surface fires’ conversion to surface fires by simulating a smoldering experiment, and establishes a monitoring model of sub-surface fires and an occurrence probability prediction model of sub-surface fires’ conversion to surface fires. The results showed that the moisture content limit of the conversion was 25% in the grass–Larix gmelinii forest and Ledum palustre–Larix gmelinii forest and 20% in Rhododendron dauricum–Larix gmelinii forest. There was a significant positive correlation between the time and temperature caused by the smoldering. The monitoring model of the sub-surface fires based on the surface temperature and moisture content had a good fitting effect (p < 0.01). The occurrence probability prediction model of the sub-surface fires’ conversion to surface fires, based on a logistic regression model, had high prediction accuracy (AUC = 0.987). The lower the moisture content of the humus, the closer the smoldering came to the surface and the higher the probability of conversion. This research could contribute to the study of the mechanism of sub-surface fires’ conversion into surface fires. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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18 pages, 3903 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Effects of Prescribed Burn Seasonality on the Understory in a Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. salzmannii (Dunal) Franco Mediterranean Forest

by Álvaro Fajardo-Cantos, Daniel Moya, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Pedro Antonio Plaza-Álvarez, Esther Peña-Molina, Javier González-Romero and Jorge de las Heras-Ibañez

Fire 2023, 6(8), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6080283 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1554

Abstract

Worsening climate change and increasing temperatures generate more sever and extended wildfires, raising concerns about ecosystem services. Prescribed burns (PB) are used to reduce forest fuel loads. Improving knowledge regarding the vegetation response after PB is essential for generating common points for monitoring [...] Read more.

Worsening climate change and increasing temperatures generate more sever and extended wildfires, raising concerns about ecosystem services. Prescribed burns (PB) are used to reduce forest fuel loads. Improving knowledge regarding the vegetation response after PB is essential for generating common points for monitoring ecological burning effects and generating a protocol or practice guide. We compared the PB seasonality of low-intensity (spring, summer, and autumn) and unburned areas in a total of 12 plots in Pinus nigra Arnold ssp. salzmannii Mediterranean forest. Our vegetation analysis was short term (one year after each PB). We analyzed vegetation coverage, α-diversity (Pielou, Simpson, and Shannon’s index), life forms, and fire-adapted traits using the Canfield transect method, followed by statistical analyses such as non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and two-way ANOVA. α-diversity was significantly decreased (>55% of dissimilarity) in the burned plots during each season, with the lowest values after summer PB (69% of dissimilarity) when comparing the burned and unburned plots. There was a significant increase in hemicryptophytes (15−20%) and geophyte coverage (from 6% to 14%, or from 4% to 8% in certain cases) in the burned plots after PB seasonality; however, the phanerophytes were reduced (from 13% to 5%). Resprouters were more dominant after PB (an increase of 15–20%), which indicates that resprouters have a faster recovery and generate a fuel load quickly for highly flammable species such as Bromus after low-intensity burning. This suggests that low-intensity prescribed burning may not be the best methodology for these resprouting species. This study helps to understand how burning in the early season can affect inflammable vegetation and the change in fuel that is available in semi-arid landscapes. This is key to achieving the basis for the development of a standardized system that allows for the efficient management of forest services in order to reduce wildfire risks. One objective of this line of research is to observe the effects of recurrent burning in different seasons on vegetation, as well as plant−soil interaction using the microbial and enzyme soil activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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15 pages, 18417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wildfire Intensity and Fire Emissions in Siberia

by Evgenii I. Ponomarev, Andrey N. Zabrodin, Eugene G. Shvetsov and Tatiana V. Ponomareva

Fire 2023, 6(7), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6070246 - 22 Jun 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2912

Abstract

An analysis of fire characteristics in the boreal forests of Siberia (50–75° N, 60–140° E) was performed for the period 2002–2022. We found a positive trend in the proportion of high-intensity fires in dominant forest stands of Siberia based on long-term series of [...] Read more.

An analysis of fire characteristics in the boreal forests of Siberia (50–75° N, 60–140° E) was performed for the period 2002–2022. We found a positive trend in the proportion of high-intensity fires in dominant forest stands of Siberia based on long-term series of variations in the Fire Radiative Power (FRP) measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Our results showed that there was an increase in the proportion of areas of high-intensity fires over the past decade on about ~30% of the boreal forests of Siberia, including the Arctic zone. For the sample group of fires, the level of correlation (R² = 0.80–0.94) between the fire impact, classified according to the NBR/dNBR technology, and the integral FRP values was revealed. The intensity of combustion in terms of FRP is associated with the volume of burned biomass and determines the dynamics of specific emissions values per unit area. The results suggest that further increase in fire emissions in Siberia will be determined not only by an increase of burned areas, but also by a redistribution of low- and high-intensity burning and an increase in specific emission values. Finally, we estimated that Siberian fires are responsible for about 5–20% of the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions in the Russian Federation, depending on the fire season scenario. The recurrence of extremely high emissions (296–350 Tg C/year) will make it possible to consider part of Siberian forests as a source of carbon in the nearest future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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13 pages, 2785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wildfires Improve Forest Growth Resilience to Drought

by Jesús Julio Camarero, Mercedes Guijarro, Rafael Calama, Cristina Valeriano, Manuel Pizarro and Javier Madrigal

Fire 2023, 6(4), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6040161 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2489

Abstract

In seasonally dry forests, wildfires can reduce competition for soil water among trees and improve forest resilience to drought. We tested this idea by comparing tree-ring growth patterns of Pinus pinea stands subjected to two prescribed burning intensities (H, high; L, low) and [...] Read more.

In seasonally dry forests, wildfires can reduce competition for soil water among trees and improve forest resilience to drought. We tested this idea by comparing tree-ring growth patterns of Pinus pinea stands subjected to two prescribed burning intensities (H, high; L, low) and compared them with unburned (U) control stands in southwestern Spain. Then, we assessed post-growth resilience to two droughts that occurred before (2005) and after (2012) the prescribed burning (2007). Resilience was quantified as changes in radial growth using resilience indices and as changes in cover and greenness using the NDVI. The NDVI sharply dropped after the fire, and minor drops were also observed after the 2005 and 2012 droughts. We found that post-drought growth and resilience were improved in the H stands, where growth also showed the lowest coherence among individual trees and the lowest correlation with water year precipitation. In contrast, trees from the L site showed the highest correlations with precipitation and the drought index. These findings suggest that tree growth recovered better after drought and responded less to water shortage in the H trees. Therefore, high-intensity fires are linked to reduced drought stress in Mediterranean pine forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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Review

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22 pages, 2067 KiB

Open AccessReview

Synthesis and Perspectives on Disturbance Interactions, and Forest Fire Risk and Fire Severity in Central Europe

by Leonardos Leonardos, Anne Gnilke, Tanja G. M. Sanders, Christopher Shatto, Catrin Stadelmann, Carl Beierkuhnlein and Anke Jentsch

Fire 2024, 7(12), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7120470 - 9 Dec 2024

Viewed by 562

Abstract

Wildfire risk increases following non-fire disturbance events, but this relationship is not always linear or cumulative, and previous studies are not consistent in differentiating between disturbance loops versus cascades. Previous research on disturbance interactions and their influence on forest fires has primarily focused [...] Read more.

Wildfire risk increases following non-fire disturbance events, but this relationship is not always linear or cumulative, and previous studies are not consistent in differentiating between disturbance loops versus cascades. Previous research on disturbance interactions and their influence on forest fires has primarily focused on fire-prone regions, such as North America, Australia, and Southern Europe. In contrast, less is known about these dynamics in Central Europe, where wildfire risk and hazard are increasing. In recent years, forest disturbances, particularly windthrow, insect outbreaks, and drought, have become more frequent in Central Europe. At the same time, climate change is influencing fire weather conditions that further intensify forest fire dynamics. Here, we synthesize findings from the recent literature on disturbance interactions in Central Europe with the aim to identify disturbance-driven processes that influence the regional fire regime. We propose a conceptual framework of interacting disturbances that can be used in wildfire risk assessments and beyond. In addition, we identify knowledge gaps and make suggestions for future research regarding disturbance interactions and their implications for wildfire activity. Our findings indicate that fire risk in the temperate forests of Central Europe is increasing and that non-fire disturbances and their interactions modify fuel properties that subsequently influence wildfire dynamics in multiple ways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project)

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Integrated Vulnerability of Forest Systems to Wildfire: Implications on Forest Management Tools. VIS4FIRE Project

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