A conceptual framework for predicting temperate ecosystem sensitivity to human impacts on fire regimes

D. B. McWethy; P. E. Higuera; C. Whitlock; T. T. Veblen; D. M. J. S. Bowman; G. J. Cary; S. G. Haberle; Robert E. Keane; B. D. Maxwell; M. S. McGlone; G. L. W. Perry; J. M. Wilmshurst

doi:10.1111/geb.12038

Treesearch

A conceptual framework for predicting temperate ecosystem sensitivity to human impacts on fire regimes

Formally Refereed

Authors:

D. B. McWethy, P. E. Higuera, C. Whitlock, T. T. Veblen, D. M. J. S. Bowman, G. J. Cary, S. G. Haberle, Robert E. Keane, B. D. Maxwell, M. S. McGlone, G. L. W. Perry, J. M. Wilmshurst

Year:

2013

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12038

Source:

Global Ecology and Biography. 22: 900-912.

Download (PDF 699 KB)

Download (PDF 699 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/44775.pdf

Abstract

The increased incidence of large fires around much of the world in recent decades raises questions about human and non-human drivers of fire and the likelihood of increased fire activity in the future. The purpose of this paper is to outline a conceptual framework for examining where human-set fires and feedbacks are likely to be most pronounced in temperate forests world-wide and to establish and test a methodology for evaluating this framework using palaeoecological records.

Keywords

biome sensitivity, climate, fire regimes, global change, human impacts, tipping points

Citation

McWethy, D. B.; Higuera, P. E.; Whitlock, C.; Veblen, T. T.; Bowman, D. M. J. S.; Cary, G. J.; Haberle, S. G.; Keane, R. E.; Maxwell, B. D.; McGlone, M. S.; Perry, G. L. W.; Wilmshurst, J. M. 2013. A conceptual framework for predicting temperate ecosystem sensitivity to human impacts on fire regimes. Global Ecology and Biography. 22: 900-912.