Journal article
How drought-induced forest die-off alters microclimate and increases fuel loadings and fire potentials
International Journal of Wildland Fire, Vol.25(8), pp.819-830
2016
Abstract
Forest die-offs associated with drought and heat have recently occurred across the globe, raising concern that associated changes in fuels and microclimate could link initial die-off disturbance to subsequent fire disturbance. Despite widespread concern, little empirical data exist. Following forest die-off in the Northern Jarrah Forest, south-western Australia, we quantified fuel dynamics and associated microclimate for die-off and control plots. Sixteen months post die-off, die-off plots had significantly increased 1-h fuels (11.8 vs 9.8 tonnes ha–1) but not larger fuel classes (10-h and 100-h fuels). Owing to stem mortality, die-off plots had significantly greater standing dead wood mass (100 vs 10 tonnes ha–1), visible sky (hemispherical images analysis: 31 vs 23%) and potential near-ground solar radiation input (measured as Direct Site Factor: 0.52 vs 0.34). Supplemental mid-summer microclimate measurements (temperature, relative humidity and wind speed) were combined with long-term climatic data and fuel load estimates to parameterise fire behaviour models. Fire spread rates were predicted to be 30% greater in die-off plots with relatively equal contributions from fuels and microclimate, highlighting need for operational consideration by fire managers. Our results underscore potential for drought-induced tree die-off to interact with subsequent fire under climate change.
Details
- Title
- How drought-induced forest die-off alters microclimate and increases fuel loadings and fire potentials
- Authors/Creators
- K.X. Ruthrof (Author/Creator)J.B. Fontaine (Author/Creator)G. Matusick (Author/Creator)D.D. Breshears (Author/Creator)D.J. Law (Author/Creator)S. Powell (Author/Creator)G. Hardy (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- International Journal of Wildland Fire, Vol.25(8), pp.819-830
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005542138207891
- Copyright
- © IAWF 2016.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.40 Forestry
- 3.40.55 Forest Dynamics
- Web Of Science research areas
- Forestry
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science