Warmer and drier conditions have increased the potential for large and severe fire seasons across south‐eastern Australia

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(10), P. 1933 - 1948

Published: April 26, 2022

Abstract Aim The aims were: (1) to identify the environmental drivers of interannual variation in wildfire extent and severity; (2) examine temporal trends climatic potential for large severe wildfires; (3) assess whether conditions experienced during 2019–2020 mega‐fire season were anomalous. Location South‐eastern Australia. Time period 1953–2020. Major taxa studied Temperate forests. Methods We used satellite‐derived fire severity mapping from 1988 2020 model effects drought, weather fuels on annual area burned proportion that was impacted by high‐severity across four bioregions. Trends then estimated 1953 using these derived models gridded climate data changes wildfires. Estimates assessed against prior seasons (1953–2019). Results Annual positively related seasonal drought frequency promote substantial daily growth. Wildfire elevated years with increased increasing antecedent without weather. Fuels had a lesser effect than climate. Potential have over time response an worsening conditions. approached upper extreme within each bioregion, owing widespread Main conclusions forest fires has south‐eastern Australia since 1950s, probably because anthropogenic change. magnitude reflected are driving increase size

Language: Английский

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Landscape fires disproportionally affect high conservation value temperate peatlands, meadows, and deciduous forests, but only under low moisture conditions

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 884, P. 163849 - 163849

Published: May 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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Global Warming Reshapes European Pyroregions

Earth s Future, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(5)

Published: May 1, 2023

Abstract Wildland fire is expected to increase in response global warming, yet little known about future changes regimes Europe. Here, we developed a pyrogeography based on statistical models better understand how warming reshapes across the continent. We identified five large‐scale pyroregions with different levels of area burned, frequency, intensity, length period, size distribution, and seasonality. All other things being equal, was found alter distribution these pyroregions, an expansion most prone ranging respectively from 50% 130% under 2° 4°C scenarios. Our estimates indicate strong amplification parts southern Europe subsequent shift toward new regimes, implying substantial socio‐ecological impacts absence mitigation or adaptation measures.

Language: Английский

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Pyrogeography in flux: Reorganization of Australian fire regimes in a hotter world

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Changes to the spatiotemporal patterns of wildfire are having profound implications for ecosystems and society globally, but we have limited understanding extent which fire regimes will reorganize in a warming world. While predicting regime shifts remains challenging because complex climate-vegetation-fire feedbacks, climate niches provides simple way identify locations most at risk change. Using globally available satellite datasets, constructed 14 metrics describing dimensions then delineated Australia's pyroregions-the geographic area encapsulating broad regime. Cluster analysis revealed 18 pyroregions, notably including (1) high-intensity, infrequent fires temperate forests, (2) high-frequency, smaller tropical savanna, (3) low-intensity, diurnal, human-engineered agricultural zones. To inform shifts, identified where under three CMIP6 scenarios is projected shift (i) beyond each pyroregion's historical niche, (ii) into space that novel Australian continent. Under middle-of-the-road projections (SSP2-4.5), an average 65% pyroregions occurred their by 2081-2100. Further, 52% pyroregion extents, on average, were occur without present-day analogues continent, implying high shifting states also lack counterparts. Pyroregions hot-arid climates both locally continentally narrower than southern already-hot lead earlier departure from space. Such implies widespread emergence no-analogue regimes. Our approach can be applied other regions assess vulnerability rapid

Language: Английский

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Interdependencies Between Wildfire‐Induced Alterations in Soil Properties, Near‐Surface Processes, and Geohazards

Earth and Space Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract The frequency, severity, and spatial extent of destructive wildfires have increased in several regions globally over the past decades. While direct impacts from are devastating, hazardous legacy affects nearby communities long after flames been extinguished. Post‐wildfire soil conditions control persistence, timing cascading geohazards burned landscapes. interplay feedback between wildfire‐induced changes to properties, land cover conditions, near‐surface surface processes still poorly understood. Here, we synthesize that can affect critical attributes soils their conditioning subsequent geohazards. More specifically, discuss state knowledge pertaining mineralogical, hydraulic, mechanical, thermal properties due wildfire with a focus on advances decade. We identify how these alter evapotranspiration, interception, sediment transport, infiltration, runoff. then link alterations evolution different geohazards, including dry raveling, erosion, rockfalls, landslides, debris flows, subsidence. Finally, research gaps future directions advance various earth time.

Language: Английский

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The Role of Deadwood in the Carbon Cycle: Implications for Models, Forest Management, and Future Climates

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 55(1), P. 133 - 155

Published: Aug. 2, 2024

Deadwood represents a significant carbon pool and unique biodiversity reservoir in forests savannas but has been largely overlooked until recently. Storage release of from deadwood is controlled by interacting decomposition drivers including biotic consumers (animals microbes) abiotic factors (water, fire, sunlight, freeze–thaw). Although previous research focused mainly on forests, we synthesize studies across diverse ecosystems with woody vegetation. As changing climates land-use practices alter the landscape, expect accelerating variable rates inputs outputs pools. Currently, Earth system models implicitly represent only microbial as wood decomposition; show that many other influence Forest management increasingly recognize an important contributor to forest dynamics, biodiversity, budgets. Together, emerging knowledge modeling suggests growing need for additional contributions storage greenhouse gas emissions.

Language: Английский

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Identifying and managing disturbance‐stimulated flammability in woody ecosystems

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 99(3), P. 699 - 714

Published: Dec. 17, 2023

ABSTRACT Many forest types globally have been subject to an increase in the frequency of, and area burnt by, high‐severity wildfire. Here we explore role that previous disturbance has played increasing extent severity of subsequent fires. We summarise evidence documenting explaining mechanisms underpinning a pulse flammability may follow disturbances such as fire, logging, clearing or windthrow (a process term disturbance‐stimulated flammability). Disturbance sometimes initiates short initial period low flammability, but then drives extended increased vegetation regrows. Our analysis initially focuses on well‐documented cases Australia, also discuss where these pattens apply elsewhere, including Northern Hemisphere. outline by which through disrupting ecological controls limit it undisturbed forests. develop test conceptual model aid prediction woody communities patterns occur. interaction with climate change, is driving larger more severe current state knowledge around point disturbed, fire‐prone stands are sufficiently widespread landscapes they promote spatial contagion wildfire overwhelms any reduction fire spread offered less‐flammable stands. how land managers might deal major challenges changes landscape cover altered regimes created. This especially pertinent now dominated extensive areas young regenerating after regrowing following broadscale prescribed burning, agricultural abandonment. Where found stimulate key management actions should consider long‐term benefits of: ( i ) limiting disturbance‐based like logging burning creates forests triggers understorey development; ii protecting from assisting them transition older, state; iii reinforcing fire‐inhibitory properties methods for rapid detection suppression.

Language: Английский

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Climate, vegetation, people: disentangling the controls of fire at different timescales

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 380(1924)

Published: April 1, 2025

Human activities have a major impact on fire regimes. that cause landscape fragmentation, such as creating roads and other infrastructure or converting areas to agriculture, tend restrict, rather than promote, fire. The human influence is complex, however, the of fragmentation regime depends climate vegetation conditions. Climate-induced changes in fuel loads also affect natural ways independent influence. Disentangling controls regimes challenging because multiple interactions between climate, vegetation, people fire, different timescales over which they operate. We explore these relationships, drawing statistical modelling analyses palaeoenvironmental, historical recent observations at regional global scales. show how relationships changed through time vary spatially function environmental biotic gradients. Specifically, we climate-driven been most important drivers changing least until Industrial Revolution. Statistical no discernible hunter–gatherer communities, even time-transgressive introduction agriculture during Neolithic had scale. post-industrial expansion was an fires, but since late 19th century, overwhelming humans has reduce progressive influencing ignitions. Model projections suggest reduction will be outweighed by climatically driven increases end 21st century. This article part theme issue ‘Novel under influences: impacts, ecosystem responses feedbacks’.

Language: Английский

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An integrated approach to assessing abiotic and biotic threats to post‐fire plant species recovery: Lessons from the 2019–2020 Australian fire season

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(10), P. 2056 - 2069

Published: March 6, 2022

Abstract Aim Existing abiotic and biotic threats to plant species (e.g., disease, drought, invasive species) affect their capacity recover post‐fire. We use a new, globally applicable framework assess the vulnerability of 26,062 Australian suite active after 2019–2020 fires. Location Australia. Time period 2019–2020. Major studied Plants. Methods Spatial data for existing information on species‐level susceptibility were combined with estimates extent range burnt in southern Australia (> 22°S) assign against 10 criteria into categories ( high , medium low none deficient ). explore detail results three (drought, feral animals), highlighting where impacts from multiple ranked may compound reduce post‐fire recovery. Results Analysis full criteria, which encompass broad threats, revealed large numbers vulnerable poor recovery one or more different hazards vulnerability: 1,243 species; 2,450 species). Collectively, 457 that extensively 50%) across are highly due exposure pre‐fire drought conditions (235 species), disease (186 animals (97 Of these species, 61 than how interacting can impact fire. Main conclusions While fire renew populations by stimulating recruitment resetting competitive interactions, presence landscapes jeopardizes The simultaneous create contribute declines and, potentially, extinction. Our method rapid assessment be applied other biota affected regions globally.

Language: Английский

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Increasing threat of wildfires: the year 2020 in perspective: A Global Ecology and Biogeography special issue

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(10), P. 1898 - 1905

Published: Sept. 8, 2022

Abstract Aim Each year, wild and managed fires burn roughly 4 million km 2 [~400 hectares (Mha)] of savanna, forest, grassland agricultural ecosystems. Land use climate change have altered fire regimes throughout the world, with a trend toward higher‐severity found from Australia, Americas, Europe Asia, to Arctic. In 2020, there were notable catastrophic in Australia (in 2019/20 Austral season), Western United States, South America Siberia. These defined much global year compounded by socio‐economic disruption Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Location Global. Time period 2020. Major taxa studied Flora fauna. Methods The Global Ecology Biogeography special issue, ‘Increasing threat wildfires: 2020 perspective’, includes 18 papers that catalogue these events, their drivers impacts on flora Results Collectively, highlight importance response traits, exposure sensitivity interacting threats determining impacts. Main conclusions scale megafires has helped identify new research areas required more comprehensively assess biodiversity biogeochemistry inform ecosystem management.

Language: Английский

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