The effect of natural disturbances on forest biodiversity: an ecological synthesis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 97(5), P. 1930 - 1947

Published: July 8, 2022

ABSTRACT Disturbances alter biodiversity via their specific characteristics, including severity and extent in the landscape, which act at different temporal spatial scales. Biodiversity response to disturbance also depends on community characteristics habitat requirements of species. Untangling mechanistic interplay these factors has guided ecology for decades, generating mixed scientific evidence responses disturbance. Understanding impact natural disturbances is increasingly important due human‐induced changes regimes. In many areas, major forest disturbances, such as wildfires, windstorms, insect outbreaks, are becoming more frequent, intense, severe, widespread climate change land‐use change. Conversely, suppression threatens disturbance‐dependent biota. Using a meta‐analytic approach, we analysed global data set (with most sampling concentrated temperate boreal secondary forests) species assemblages 26 taxonomic groups, plants, animals, fungi collected from forests affected by outbreaks. The overall effect α‐diversity did not differ significantly zero, but some groups responded positively disturbance, while others tended respond negatively. Disturbance was beneficial preferring conditions associated with open canopies (e.g. hymenopterans hoverflies), whereas ground‐dwelling and/or typically shady epigeic lichens mycorrhizal fungi) were likely be negatively impacted Across all highest disturbed patches occurred under moderate severity, i.e. approximately 55% trees killed We further extended our meta‐analysis applying unified diversity concept based Hill numbers estimate across gradient measured stand scale incorporating other features. found that number q = 0 1 2, indicating diversity–disturbance relationships shaped relative abundances. Our synthesis disturbance‐induced assemblages, revealed β‐diversity multiple level (birds woody plants). Finally, used rarefaction/extrapolation function proportion disturbed, landscape scale. comparison intact naturally both types provide unique mixture undisturbed peaked intermediate values simulated landscape. Hence, relationship between stands strikingly similar richness consisting habitats. This result suggests support levels contemporary landscapes.

Language: Английский

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The use of fire to preserve biodiversity under novel fire regimes

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

Published: April 1, 2025

Novel fire regimes are emerging worldwide and pose substantial challenges to biodiversity conservation. Addressing these mitigating their impacts on will require developing a wide range of management practices. In this paper, we leverage research across taxa, ecosystems continents highlight strategies for applying knowledge in First, define novel outline different practices contemporary landscapes from parts the world. Next, synthesize recent use biodiversity, provide decision-making framework conservation under regimes. We recommend that preserving should consider both social ecological factors, iterative learning informed by effective monitoring, testing new actions. An integrated approach about help navigate complexities preserve rapidly changing This article is part theme issue ‘Novel climate changes human influences: impacts, ecosystem responses feedbacks’.

Language: Английский

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A review of the effects of wildfire smoke on the health and behavior of wildlife

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(12), P. 123003 - 123003

Published: Oct. 20, 2021

Abstract Climate change is intensifying global wildfire activity, and people wildlife are increasingly exposed to hazardous air pollution during large-scale smoke events. Although considered a growing risk public health, few studies have investigated the impacts of on wildlife, particularly among species that vulnerable inhalation. In this review, we synthesized research date how affects health behavior wildlife. After executing systematic search using Web Science, found only 41 relevant studies. We findings from literature incorporated knowledge gained fields outside science, specifically veterinary medicine toxicology. directly effects were in number, they show contributes adverse acute chronic outcomes influences animal behavior. Our review demonstrates inhalation can lead carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory distress, neurological impairment, cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress, immunosuppression including terrestrial aquatic species, these contribute changes movement vocalization. Some also use as cue engage fire-avoidance behaviors or conserve energy. However, our highlights significant gaps understanding Most notably, lack robust measurements existing limits meta-analyses hinders construction dose-response relationships, thereby precluding predictions under different quality conditions, especially extreme recommend future leverage data sets, infrastructure, tools rapidly advance important conservation topic highlight potential value interdisciplinary collaborations between ecologists atmospheric chemists.

Language: Английский

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Beyond inappropriate fire regimes: A synthesis of fire‐driven declines of threatened mammals in Australia

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 15(5)

Published: June 30, 2022

Abstract Fire can promote biodiversity, but changing patterns of fire threaten species worldwide. While scientific literature often describes ‘‘inappropriate regimes’’ as a significant threat to less attention has been paid the characteristics that make regime inappropriate. We go beyond this generic description and synthesize how inappropriate regimes contribute declines animal populations using threatened mammals case study. developed demographic framework for classifying mechanisms by which cause population decline applied in systematic review identify interacting threats associated with Australian land ( n = 99). Inappropriate 88% mammals. Our indicates intense, large, frequent fires are primary fire‐related declines, particularly through their influence on survival rates. However, several lack fire, there is considerable uncertainty evidence base declines. Climate change predation documented or predicted interact exacerbate mammalian This will help target conservation actions globally be enhanced empirical studies survival, movement, reproduction.

Language: Английский

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Understanding Fire Regimes for a Better Anthropocene

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48(1), P. 207 - 235

Published: Aug. 31, 2023

Fire is an integral part of the Earth System and humans have skillfully used fire for millennia. Yet human activities are scaling up reinforcing each other in ways that reshaping patterns across planet. We review these changes using concept regime, which describes timing, location, type fires. then explore consequences regime on biological, chemical, physical processes sustain life Earth. Anthropogenic drivers such as climate change, land use, invasive species shifting regimes creating environments unlike any humanity has previously experienced. Although exposure to extreme wildfire events increasing, we highlight how knowledge can be mobilized achieve a wide range goals, from reducing carbon emissions promoting biodiversity well-being. A perspective critical navigating toward sustainable future—a better Anthropocene.

Language: Английский

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Prescribed burning mitigates the severity of subsequent wildfires in Mediterranean shrublands

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

Published: Jan. 17, 2024

Abstract Background Prescribed burning (PB) is becoming relevant in fuel reduction and thus fire hazard abatement fire-prone ecosystems of southern Europe. Yet, empirical evidence on the effectiveness this practice to mitigate wildfire severity Mediterranean shrublands non-existent, despite being focus PB efforts region. Here, we intended quantify protective effect treatment units (2005–2021) subsequent across mainland Portugal, as well relative contribution complex interactions between drivers PB-treated areas untreated neighboring counterparts through Random Forest regression. We leveraged cloud-computing remote sensing data processing Google Earth Engine estimate (PB wildfire) Relativized Burn Ratio (RBR) using Landsat catalog. Results was particularly effective at mitigating first PB-wildfire encounter shrublands, with a mean around 24% RBR units. Fuel age (i.e., time since prescribed burning) intersection overwhelmed large extent weather, probability, severity. The persisted for 5 years. However, decreased increasingly adverse weather conditions, such that variation somewhat insensitive under extreme weather. Similarly, lowest experienced sites high along interaction observed probability age, suggest repeated treatments may be useful controlling accumulation explaining exceedingly areas, doubling other variables model absence variables. Conclusions Our results implementation intervals less than years paramount importance control build-up productive shrublands. Further research topic warranted worldwide, namely Mediterranean-type climate regions.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of fire and prospects for recovery in a tropical peat forest ecosystem

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(17)

Published: April 15, 2024

Uncontrolled fires place considerable burdens on forest ecosystems, compromising our ability to meet conservation and restoration goals. A poor understanding of the impacts fire ecosystems their biodiversity exacerbates this challenge, particularly in tropical regions where few studies have applied consistent analytical techniques examine a broad range ecological over multiyear time frames. We compiled 16 y data ecosystem properties (17 variables) (21 from peatland Indonesia assess infer potential for recovery. Burned experienced altered structural microclimatic conditions, resulting proliferation nonforest vegetation erosion biodiversity. Compared unburned forest, habitat structure, tree density, canopy cover deteriorated by 58 98%, while declines species diversity abundance were most pronounced trees, damselflies, butterflies, specialist species. Tracking property datasets revealed be sensitive recurrent high-intensity within wider landscape. These megafires immediately compromised water quality reproductive phenology, crashing commercially valuable fish populations 3 mo driving gradual decline threatened vertebrates 9 mo. remained structurally long after burn event, but showed some signs recovery 12-y period. Our findings demonstrate that, if left uncontrolled, may pervasive threat functioning forests, underscoring importance prevention long-term efforts, as exemplified Indonesia.

Language: Английский

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Frequent, heterogenous fire supports a forest owl assemblage

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Fire shapes biodiversity in many forested ecosystems, but historical management practices and anthropogenic climate change have led to larger, more severe fires that threaten animal species where such disturbances do not occur naturally. As predators, owls can play important ecological roles biological communities, how changing fire regimes affect individual assemblages is largely unknown. Here, we examined the impact of severity, history, configuration over past 35 years on an assemblage six forest owl Sierra Nevada, California, using ecosystem‐scale passive acoustic monitoring. While negative impacts this appeared be ephemeral (1–4 duration), spotted avoided sites burned at high‐severity for up two decades after a fire. Low‐ moderate‐severity benefited small cavity‐nesting great horned owls. Most study adapted within region's natural range variation, characterized by higher proportions low‐ relatively less some may resilient wildfire than others, novel “megafires” are frequent, contiguously limit distribution reducing prevalence eliminating habitat closed‐canopy multiple decades. Management strategies restore with patches promote mosaic conditions will likely facilitate conservation predators.

Language: Английский

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Fostering Post-Fire Research Towards a More Balanced Wildfire Science Agenda to Navigate Global Environmental Change

Fire, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(2), P. 51 - 51

Published: Jan. 26, 2025

As wildfires become more frequent and severe in the face of global environmental change, it becomes crucial not only to assess, prevent, suppress them but also manage aftermath effectively. Given temporal interconnections between these issues, we explored concept “wildfire science loop”—a framework categorizing wildfire research into three stages: “before”, “during”, “after” wildfires. Based on this partition, performed a systematic review by linking particular topics keywords each stage, aiming describe one quantify volume published research. The results from our identified substantial imbalance landscape, with post-fire stage being markedly underrepresented. Research focusing is 1.5 times (or 46%) less prevalent than that “before” 1.8 77%) “during” stage. This discrepancy likely driven historical emphasis prevention suppression due immediate societal needs. Aiming address overcome imbalance, present perspectives regarding strategic agenda enhance understanding processes outcomes, emphasizing socioecological impacts management recovery multi-level transdisciplinary approach. These proposals advocate integrating knowledge-driven burn severity ecosystem mitigation/recovery practical, application-driven strategies policy development. supports comprehensive spans short-term emergency responses long-term adaptive management, ensuring landscapes are better understood, managed, restored. We emphasize critical importance “after-fire” breaking negative planning cycles, enhancing practices, implementing nature-based solutions vision “building back better”. Strengthening balanced focused will ability close loop involved improve alignment international agendas such as UN’s Decade Ecosystem Restoration EU’s Nature Law. By addressing can significantly restore ecosystems, resilience, develop suited challenges rapidly changing world.

Language: Английский

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Small-scale fire refugia increase soil bacterial and fungal richness and increase community cohesion nine years after fire

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 966, P. 178677 - 178677

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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