Towards an Integrated Approach to Wildfire Risk Assessment: When, Where, What and How May the Landscapes Burn

Fire, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(5), P. 215 - 215

Published: May 22, 2023

This paper presents a review of concepts related to wildfire risk assessment, including the determination fire ignition and propagation (fire danger), extent which may spatially overlap with valued assets (exposure), potential losses resilience those (vulnerability). is followed by brief discussion how these can be integrated connected mitigation adaptation efforts. We then operational systems in place various parts world. Finally, we propose an system being developed under FirEUrisk European project, as example different components (including danger, exposure vulnerability) generated combined into synthetic indices provide more comprehensive but also consider where on what variables reduction efforts should stressed envisage policies better adapted future regimes. Climate socio-economic changes entail that wildfires are becoming even critical environmental hazard; extreme fires observed many areas world regularly experience fire, yet activity increasing were previously rare. To mitigate negative impacts responsible for managing must leverage information available through assessment process, along improved understanding targeted improve optimize strategies risk.

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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How will future climate change impact prescribed fire across the contiguous United States?

npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: April 26, 2024

Abstract As of 2023, the use prescribed fire to manage ecosystems accounts for more than 50% area burned annually across United States. Prescribed is carried out when meteorological conditions, including temperature, humidity, and wind speed are appropriate its safe effective application. However, changes in these variables associated with future climate change may impact opportunities conduct fire. In this study, we combine projections information on burning windows ecoregions contiguous States (CONUS) compute number days conditions allow application under present-day (2006–2015) (2051–2060) conditions. The resulting projections, which cover 57% all vegetated CONUS, indicate fewer suitable eastern due rising maximum daily temperatures, but increase northern northwestern States, driven primarily by minimum temperatures declining speeds.

Language: Английский

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Integrated Fire Management and Closer to Nature Forest Management at the Landscape Scale as a Holistic Approach to Foster Forest Resilience to Wildfires

Open Research Europe, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4, P. 131 - 131

Published: Jan. 10, 2025

Unprecedented wildfires are expected to remain a major challenge for Europe in the coming years due their increasing frequency and intensity. However, there is currently no standardized framework managing wildfire risk, with common definition of integrated risk management, lack consensus within sustainable forest over 20 synonyms semi-synonyms used Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), including among others, close-to-nature management. This open letter examines highlights importance implementing two key approaches, Integrated Fire Management (IFM) EU’s proposed approach Closer-To-Nature Forest (CTNFM) temporal spatial connectivity face climate change. The document discusses relevant management options address challenges, associated impacts such as degradation biodiversity loss. It emphasizes urgent need action by EU Member States light bottom-up (local regional national level), political commitment, public awareness these issues effectively. Key topics covered include adaptation strategies plant species, impact change land use on today’s uncharacteristic fire regimes conditions. Silvicultural closer-to-nature practices, where needed appropriate, promotion natural regeneration enhancement broadleaves, mixed stand composition strategic tree spacing examined means reduce spread fires wildfire-prone areas. also benefits landscape-scale that includes prevention, ecological resilience, habitat conservation resource Options presented policy makers stakeholders support through collaboration, enforcement, stewardship, monitoring capabilities, education, research support, international cooperation. integration IFM CTNFM can improve mitigation, preparedness, adaptive capacity, thereby promoting resilient landscapes communities long-term.

Language: Английский

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Sensitivity of North American grassland birds to weather and climate variability

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(1)

Published: July 10, 2023

Grassland birds in North America have declined sharply over the last 60 years, driven by widespread loss and degradation of grassland habitats. Climate change is occurring more rapidly grasslands relative to some other ecosystems, exposure extreme novel climate conditions may affect bird ecology demographics. To determine potential effects weather variability on birds, we conducted a systematic review relationships between temperature precipitation demographic responses species America. Based 124 independent studies, used vote-counting approach quantify frequency direction significant birds. tended experience positive negative higher temperatures altered precipitation. Moderate, sustained increases mean benefitted species, but heat, drought, heavy rainfall often reduced abundance nest success. These patterns varied among regions, temporal scales (<1 or ≥1 month), taxa. The sensitivity populations will likely be mediated regional climates, interaction with stressors, life-history strategies various species' tolerances for conditions.

Language: Английский

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Prescribed burning and integrated fire management in the Brazilian Cerrado: demonstrated impacts and scale-up potential for emission abatement

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(3), P. 034020 - 034020

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

Abstract Fire management has proven successful in reducing deforestation, preserving biodiversity and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. After years of zero burning policies fire-adapted ecosystems, resulting increases fire hazards risks, countries are moving towards integrated (IFM) including prescribed (PB). With a primary focus on biodiversity, Brazilian governmental organizations endorsed this paradigm shift 2014, with the introduction IFM number protected areas (PA) Cerrado. Reducing high intensity mid/late dry season (M/LDS) fires through PB early (EDS) other savanna demonstrated mitigation potential as EDS associated lower GHG In present study, Earth observation data were used to analyze seasonality active fires, burned fuel loads. A dynamic performance benchmark (control-treatment paired sample test) was applied assess effectiveness existing activities promoting emission abatement over pre-covid period 2014–2019. Compared against responses PAs without IFM-PB, IFM-PB showed significant (+137% hotspots) (from share 11.2% 29.5% total yearly area). Fuel fragmentation EDS-PB, tracked calibrated load maps, also led 62% reduction Combined M/LDS decreased from 85.1% area 67.7%. When applying observed effect all PA Cerrado for same period, we estimate an 1085 764 tCO2 e / y . Given fact that followed biodiversity-centred approach Cerrado, abatement-centered could result even higher potentials.

Language: Английский

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Optimizing Silvicultural Interventions to Reduce Combustion Energy Load in Forest Ecosystems

Published: Feb. 6, 2025

Wildfires increasingly threaten forest ecosystems, particularly in arid Mediterranean regions impacted by climate change. This study presents a novel quantitative framework for optimizing silvicultural interventions to reduce combustion energy loads and enhance resource conservation. Using dendrometric equations, biomass removal calculations, geospatial modeling (Ordinary Kriging, SAGA-GIS Q-GIS), the methodology evaluates spatial distribution of calorific before after thinning interventions. The results show that 20% intervention reduced 13.45% water demand 8.38%, while at 30% 40% intensities achieved even greater reductions. Specifically, higher potential 14,000 kJ/m2 saved approximately 861,390 L across area. These findings provide actionable insights managers balance ecological health, optimize practices, mitigate wildfire risks vulnerable ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Identification of forest fire-prone region in Lamington National Park using GIS-based multicriteria technique: validation using field and Sentinel-2-based observations

Geocarto International, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 40(1)

Published: Feb. 10, 2025

Lamington National Park in Queensland, Australia, is increasingly threatened by wildfires, intensified climate change. This study integrates remote sensing, GIS, and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify fire-prone areas within park. Eight parameters were analyzed, with major fuel type being most significant. Multispectral satellite data provided essential insights into landscape changes vegetation stress, enhancing understanding of wildfire risks. Historical records, field observations, sensing utilized develop validate a Forest Fire Risk Index map, highlighting heightened fire susceptibility northern eastern regions due subtropical humid conditions. The findings emphasise importance advanced spatial analysis for proactive management. Combining GIS multicriteria decision-making equips conservationists policymakers critical tools strengthen response strategies, safeguard vital ecosystems, protect surrounding communities. approach valuable managing similar landscapes globally.

Language: Английский

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Silviculture—More Complex Than Ever

Journal of Forestry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 4, 2025

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Integrated Fire Management and Closer to Nature Forest Management at the Landscape Scale as a Holistic Approach to Foster Forest Resilience to Wildfires

Open Research Europe, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4, P. 131 - 131

Published: March 7, 2025

Unprecedented wildfires are expected to remain a major challenge for Europe in the coming years due their increasing frequency and intensity. However, there is currently no standardized framework managing wildfire risk, with common definition of integrated risk management, lack consensus within sustainable forest over 20 synonyms semi-synonyms used Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), including among others, close-to-nature management. This open letter examines highlights importance implementing two key approaches, Integrated Fire Management (IFM) EU’s proposed approach Closer-To-Nature Forest (CTNFM) temporal spatial connectivity face climate change. The document discusses relevant management options address challenges, associated impacts such as degradation biodiversity loss. It emphasizes urgent need action by EU Member States light bottom-up (local regional national level), political commitment, public awareness these issues effectively. Key topics covered include adaptation strategies plant species, impact change land use on today’s uncharacteristic fire regimes conditions. Silvicultural closer-to-nature practices, where needed appropriate, promotion natural regeneration enhancement broadleaves, mixed stand composition strategic tree spacing examined means reduce spread fires wildfire-prone areas. also benefits landscape-scale that includes prevention, ecological resilience, habitat conservation resource Options presented policy makers stakeholders support through collaboration, enforcement, stewardship, monitoring capabilities, education, research support, international cooperation. integration IFM CTNFM can improve mitigation, preparedness, adaptive capacity, thereby promoting resilient landscapes communities long-term.

Language: Английский

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