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

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 97(5), С. 1930 - 1947

Опубликована: Июль 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.

Язык: Английский

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

Environmental Research Letters, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 16(12), С. 123003 - 123003

Опубликована: Окт. 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.

Язык: Английский

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

Conservation Letters, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 15(5)

Опубликована: Июнь 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.

Язык: Английский

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Understanding Fire Regimes for a Better Anthropocene

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 48(1), С. 207 - 235

Опубликована: Авг. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Prescribed burning mitigates the severity of subsequent wildfires in Mediterranean shrublands

Fire Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 20(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: 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, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 380(1924)

Опубликована: Апрель 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’.

Язык: Английский

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Collapse and recovery of livestock systems shape fire regimes on the Eurasian steppe: a review of ecosystem and biodiversity implications

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 380(1924)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Shifts in fire regimes can trigger rapid changes ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. We synthesize evidence for patterns, causes consequences of recent change across the Eurasian steppes, a neglected global hotspot. Political economic turmoil following break-up Soviet Union 1991 triggered abrupt land abandonment over millions hectares collapse livestock populations. The build-up vegetation as fuel, rural depopulation deteriorating control led to increase size, area burned frequency. Fire were also driven by drought, but likely only after fuel had accumulated. Increased disturbance resulted grass encroachment, homogenization decreasing plant species diversity. Feedback loops due high flammability likely. Direct carry-on effects on birds, keystone small mammals insects largely negative. Nutrient cycling carbon balance changed, these have yet be quantified. regime large frequent fires persisted until ca 2010 shifted back more grazing-controlled populations recovered, reinforced increasing precipitation. Key future research topics include climate change, changing pyrodiversity pyric herbivory resilience. Ongoing steppe restoration rewilding efforts, integrated management will benefit from better understanding regimes. This article is part theme issue ‘Novel under human influences: impacts, responses feedbacks’.

Язык: Английский

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

Fire, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 8(2), С. 51 - 51

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Plant colonisation, soil nutrient patterns and microclimate after a large forest fire in temperate Central Europe

Forest Ecology and Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 585, С. 122643 - 122643

Опубликована: Март 9, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Fire, water, and biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada: a possible triple win

Environmental Research Communications, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 3(8), С. 081004 - 081004

Опубликована: Июль 26, 2021

Reducing the risk of large, severe wildfires while also increasing security mountain water supplies and enhancing biodiversity are urgent priorities in western US forests. After a century fire suppression, Yosemite Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks located California's Sierra Nevada initiated programs to manage these areas present rare opportunity study effects restored regimes. Forest cover decreased during managed wildfire period meadow shrubland increased, especially Yosemite's Illilouette Creek basin that experienced 20% reduction forest area. These now support greater pyrodiversity consequently landscape species diversity. Soil moisture increased drought-induced tree mortality decreased, where have been allowed burn more freely resulting 30% increase summer soil moisture. Modeling suggests ecohydrological co-benefits restoring regimes robust projected climatic warming. Support will be needed from highest levels government public maintain existing expand them other forested areas.

Язык: Английский

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