Fires, ecological effects of

W. J. Bond; Robert E. Keane

doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02098-7

Treesearch

Fires, ecological effects of

Formally Refereed

Authors:

W. J. Bond, Robert E. Keane

Year:

2017

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02098-7

Source:

Reference Module in Life Sciences. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02098-7.

Download (PDF 598 KB)

Download (PDF 598 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/53499.pdf

Abstract

Fire is both a natural and anthropogenic disturbance influencing the distribution, structure, and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems around the world. Many plants and animals depend on fire for their continued existence. Others species, such as rainforest plants species, are extremely intolerant of burning and need protection from fire. The properties of a fire regime are changing as the natural world’s landscapes become fragmented and human influence becomes pervasive. A sound understanding of fire and its effects on ecosystems is an essential prerequisite for effectively managing this widespread ecological process.

Keywords

alternative ecosystem states, biomes, boreal forests, charcoal, fire-adaptive traits, fire ecology, fire management, fire regimes, flammability, Mediterranean-type scrublands, paleoecology of fire, plant populations, protected area management, pyrodiversity, savannas, vegetation geography

Citation

Bond, W. J.; Keane, R. E. 2017. Fires, ecological effects of. Reference Module in Life Sciences. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02098-7.