Abrupt, climate-induced increase in wildfires in British Columbia since the mid-2000s

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: Sept. 5, 2023

Abstract In the province of British Columbia, Canada, four most severe wildfire seasons last century occurred in past 7 years: 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023. To investigate trends activity fire-conducive climate, we conducted an analysis mapped perimeters annual climate data for period 1919–2021. Results show that after a century-long decline, fire increased from 2005 onwards, coinciding with sharp reversal wetting trend 20th century. Even as precipitation levels remain high, moisture deficits have due to rapid warming evaporative demand. Bottom-up factors further influence activity, legacy wildfires, insect outbreaks, land-use practices continually regimes. The compound effects climate-induced changes altered fuels now force Columbians confront harsh reality more frequent years intense prolonged activity.

Language: Английский

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Broadleaf tree phenology and springtime wildfire occurrence in boreal Canada

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(21), P. 6106 - 6119

Published: June 14, 2023

Abstract Although broadleaf tree species of the boreal biome have a lower flammability compared to conifers, there is period following snow melt and prior leaf flush (i.e., greenup), termed “spring window” by fire managers, when these forests are relatively conducive wildfire ignition spread. The goal this study was characterize duration, timing, proneness spring window across Canada assess link between phenological variables incidence springtime wildfires. We used remotely sensed cover greenup data identify annual for five ecozones from 2001 2021 then seasonality starts (by cause) fire‐conducive weather in relation window, averaged over 21‐year period. conducted path analysis concomitantly evaluate influence window's timing greenup, on number Results show that characteristics windows vary substantially year among geographic zones, with interior west having longest most spread and, accordingly, greatest activity. also provide support belief generally promotes wind‐driven, rather than drought‐driven analyses idiosyncratic behavior ecozones, but, general, season mainly driven whereas wildfires mostly responds duration frequency weather. results allows us better understand anticipate biome‐wide changes projected northern North America.

Language: Английский

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Analysis of forest fire patterns and their relationship with climate variables in Alberta's natural subregions

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 80, P. 102531 - 102531

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

Forest fires are significant ecological and environmental phenomena that can be influenced by various climatic factors. This study used fire point records from the Canadian National Fire Database (CNFDB) interpolated climate data, which include minimum maximum air temperature, average relative humidity, precipitation for each subregion of Alberta, Canada, to analyze patterns relationships forest variables using trend analysis anomaly detection methods. The was based on Mann-Kendall test Sen's slope, were detect presence magnitude monotonic trends in monthly aggregated data 1955 2022. is RobustSTL method, decompose into seasonal, trend, remainder components, identify periods significantly high or low values component. Most subregions showed a increase temperature decrease indicating warming drying due change. Precipitation change variable across subregions. Human-caused prescribed increased Central Mixedwood, Dry Lower Foothills, Montane, Upper while lightning-caused had mixed Boreal Highlands. occurrence source affected different ways Athabasca Plain changed with temperature. It when low, it lightning high. Mixedwood three peaks lightning-induced humidity several human activities also revealed some other interesting between distribution subregions, may help understand manage interactions their implications understanding management context

Language: Английский

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Density‐dependent responses of moose to hunting and landscape change

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract In many areas of the boreal forests and temperate mountains Canada, resource extraction activities have created forage conditions that are favourable to growth moose ( Alces alces ) populations. turn, these increased populations buoy abundance wolves Canis lupus ), which then negative impacts on caribou Rangifer tarandus Consequently, been declining where extraction, moose, occur. To abate unsustainable predation pressure by wolves, hunting quota was expanded for 17 years reduce stabilize population in Revelstoke Valley, British Columbia, Canada. However, a reduction forestry activity paired with habitat protections slowed early seral favour moose. both hunter‐caused mortality loss may contributing observed declines occurred during this period. Within changing regulatory biophysical landscape, we sought address two research objectives. First, evaluated how increasing influenced total yield harvested animals. We expected density‐dependent responses would bolster number harvestable animals landscape. Second, tested different forest harvest scenarios might influence habitat, wolf densities, thus rates into future decades. used data from GPS collars (39 individuals), eight aerial surveys, hunter statistics, estimates carrying capacity thresholds, records. The latter series spanned 1961–2020 informed selection function calculations our first objective as well predictive modelling second objective. Between 2003 2020, found amounts declined 44.8%. There were 42% more under quotas than projected be simulated status quo quota. As stabilized, higher recruitment (e.g. calf:cow ratios) further contributed Our simulations indicated only harvesting scenario low enough 2040 cease entirely 2020. Practical implication: an mitigated effects caribou, aided recovery, struck balance also provided food security recreational opportunities harvesters.

Language: Английский

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Community Risk and Resilience to Wildfires: Rethinking the Complex Human–Climate–Fire Relationship in High-Latitude Regions

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 957 - 957

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Community risk and resilience to high-latitude wildfires has received limited conceptual attention, with a comprehensive, integrated framework that unpacks the complex human–fire–climate relationship in environments largely missing. In this paper, we use insights from both climate change adaptation disaster reduction literature build understand factors dynamics of at community level regions. Using an illustrative case study, demonstrates how unique social ecological features communities elevate their emphasizes need think holistically about different spatial–temporal interactions interdependencies between fire, humans, these We find remoteness, indigeneity, subsistence-based activities, colonial practices, along accelerated warming, are notable influencing This can help unravel nature wildfires, guide stakeholders through each phase process, facilitate development design wildfire-related policies strategies

Language: Английский

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Guiding principles for transdisciplinary and transformative fire research

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Abstract Background Managing landscape fire is a complex challenge because it simultaneously necessary for, and increasingly poses risk to, societies ecosystems worldwide. This underscores the need for transformative change in way live with manage fire. While researchers have potential to act as agents of change, practice, ability affect often constrained by siloed biased expertise, rigid decision-making institutions, vulnerable social-ecological systems where urgent rather than long-term solutions are prioritized. Addressing these challenges requires more holistic equitable approaches research that promote new models transdisciplinary thinking, collaboration, practice. Results To advance this challenge, we propose four principles conducting research: (1) embrace complexity, (2) diverse ways knowing fire, (3) foster learning, (4) practice problem-centered research. These emerged from our experience group early-career who embedded within motivated today’s British Columbia (BC), Canada. In forum piece, first describe then apply two case studies: BC, settler-colonial context experiencing increased size, severity, impacts wildfires, ECR discussion group, space collective learning transformation. doing so, present unique contribution builds on existing efforts develop frameworks demonstrates how application can transformation towards coexistence local global scales. Conclusions identify guiding Collectively, inclusive applied matches scope scale promotes coexisting

Language: Английский

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Towards a whole‐system framework for wildfire monitoring using Earth observations

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 29(6), P. 1423 - 1436

Published: Dec. 20, 2022

Fire seasons have become increasingly variable and extreme due to changing climatological, ecological, social conditions. Earth observation data are critical for monitoring fires their impacts. Herein, we present a whole-system framework identifying synthesizing fire objectives needs throughout the life cycle of event. The four stages using include following: (1) pre-fire vegetation inventories, (2) active-fire monitoring, (3) post-fire assessment, (4) multi-scale synthesis. We identify challenges opportunities associated with current approaches highlighting case studies from North American boreal, montane, grassland ecosystems. While localized these ecosystems regional contexts, they provide insights others experiencing similar worldwide. field remote sensing is rapid proliferation new sources, providing observations that can inform all aspects our framework; however, significant meeting remain. future sharing co-development information products cloud computing benefits open-access other geospatial layers.

Language: Английский

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Untrammeling the wilderness: restoring natural conditions through the return of human-ignited fire

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

Abstract Historical and contemporary policies practices, including the suppression of lightning-ignited fires removal intentional ignited by Indigenous peoples, have resulted in over a century fire exclusion across many USA’s landscapes. Within designated wilderness areas, this has clearly altered ecological processes thus constitutes fundamental ubiquitous act trammeling . Through framework that recognizes four orders , we demonstrate substantial, long-term, negative effects on natural conditions fire-adapted ecosystems. In order to un trammel more than exclusion, implementation active programs burning may be necessary some We also suggest greater recognition accommodation cultural burning, practice which Tribes used shape maintain landscapes for thousands years before Euro-American colonization, today as wilderness. Human-ignited critical restoring character can support ecocultural restoration efforts sought peoples.

Language: Английский

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Describing a landscape mosaic: Forest structure and composition across community types and management regimes in inland northeastern pitch pine barrens

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 536, P. 120859 - 120859

Published: March 18, 2023

Language: Английский

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Revitalising Indigenous cultural fire practice: benefits and partnerships

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(10), P. 899 - 902

Published: Aug. 11, 2023

Language: Английский

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