Conference PaperPDF Available

Προδιαγεγραμμένη καύση στην Ελλάδα: Προκαταρκτικά αποτελέσματα για τη δημιουργία προδιαγραφών χρήσης της μεθόδου

Authors:
Miltiadis Athanasiou at Hellenic Agricultural Organization - DIMITRA
Miltiadis Athanasiou
  • Hellenic Agricultural Organization - DIMITRA
Evangelia Korakaki at Forest Research Institute of Athens
Evangelia Korakaki
Ilias Tziritis at WWF Greece
Ilias Tziritis
  • WWF Greece
Gavriil Xanthopoulos at Hellenic Agricultural Organization - "DIMITRA" - Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems
Gavriil Xanthopoulos
  • Hellenic Agricultural Organization - "DIMITRA" - Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems
Show all 16 authorsHide
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract

Στην παρούσα εργασία περιγράφονται τα πρώτα βήματα για τη δημιουργία προδιαγραφών χρήσης της μεθόδου της προδιαγεγραμμένης καύσης στην Ελλάδα. Στο πλαίσιο του διετούς πιλοτικού ερευνητικού προγράμματος «Προσαρμογή του αγροδασικού περιβάλλοντος στη κλιματική αλλαγή & αύξηση της ανθεκτικότητάς του στις δασικές πυρκαγιές: Πιλοτική εφαρμογή προδιαγεγραμμένου πυρός για τη διαχείριση της καύσιμης ύλης και τη μείωση της έντασης των δασικών πυρκαγιών», πραγματοποιήθηκαν προδιαγεγραμμένες καύσεις στη Χίο. Προέκυψαν σημαντικά ευρήματα σχετικά με τη χρήση της φωτιάς για τη διαχείριση της δασικής βλάστησης, τις επιδράσεις της φωτιάς στο έδαφος και στη βιοποικιλότητα. Στόχος του προγράμματος είναι θεσμοθέτηση και εισαγωγή της μεθόδου στην ελληνική πραγματικότητα, η υιοθέτηση και η αποδοτική της χρήση για την οικονομικά βιώσιμη διαχείριση της καύσιμης ύλης, τη διαχείριση των δασικών οικοσυστημάτων και την πρόληψη των δασικών πυρκαγιών. Στους μακροπρόθεσμους στόχους της σχετικής με το πιλοτικό πρόγραμμα εφαρμοσμένης έρευνας, περιλαμβάνεται η ενίσχυση της ανθεκτικότητας του φυσικού και ανθρωπογενούς περιβάλλοντος.
Content uploaded by Miltiadis Athanasiou
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Miltiadis Athanasiou on Nov 01, 2023
Content may be subject to copyright.
21
-
, 22-
-
- -
-
-
ALFA WOOD GROUP
ISBN: 978-618-84551-3-9
21 - 23
137
-
, 1; , 2; , 3; , 2;
, 4; , 2; , 2; ,
2; , 2; , 2; , 2;
, 2; , 2; , 5; ,
5; , 5
1Wildfire Management Consulting and Training, 8, 13673 , e-mail:
info@m-athanasiou.gr
2
-mail: e.korakaki@fria.gr,
gxnrtc@fria.gr, karetsos@fria.gr, avramidou@fria.gr, solomou@fria.gr, np@fria.gr, mipa@fria.gr,
mpat@fria.gr, kako@fria.gr, mage@fria.gr
3- -mail: e.tziritis@wwf.gr
4GigonisEcospatialServices, 28 20, 57500, , email: info@gigonis.gr
5
email: info@omikron.org.gr
:
. 2013, 2022).
21 - 23
138
(Silva , . 2010)
Athanasiou
WWF
. 2023).
21 - 23
139
,
(Juniperus phoenicea)
- SPA:
Site of Community Importance - SCI: ( )].
Table 1. Sixteen(16) plots for the prescribed burning application in Chios island.
2)
3.099
1.528
2.167
5.741
SPA (GR4130003)
2.750
K385
2.900
K385 6.812
K385 4.578
10.64
1
SCI (GR4130001)
SPA (GR4130003)
9.573
SCI (GR4130001)
SPA (GR4130003)
K362
1.172
SCI (GR4130001)
SPA (GR4130003)
K
362
294
SCI (GR4130001)
SPA (GR4130003)
K362
388
21 - 23
140
2
)
SCI (GR4130001)
SPA (GR4130003)
K362
1.491
SCI (GR4130001)
SPA (GR4130003)
K362
1.584
SCI (GR4130001)
SPA (GR4130003)
K362
1.031
55.749
Merkhoher 1993, Loomis . 2001,
McCaffrey 2004, Mazzotta . 2012, Knowlton
&
LiveWoody: LW
-
go
FMC
BehavePlus (Andrews
0,5 m
-1
21 - 23
141
Andrea Bonneti
1.
Picture 1.a. Preparing a firebreak with hand tools before conducting a prescribed burn in phrygana, b. Utilizing
natural firebreaks (road and trail) during a prescribed burn in maquis.
-2
Phantom 4 Pro -1
& Thomas,
&
disk
(o
-alumel thermo couples),4
-1
(Pinus brutia),
21 - 23
142
. 2019, Korakaki & Fotelli 2021).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Escape routes s &
Thorburn 2015)]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Pinus
brutia
fuel breaks)
21 - 23
143
Figure 2. Treating and extending a shaded fuel breakwith prescribed burning.
Pistacia terebinthus
Pinus brutia
-1 -
Brachypodium ramosum
(Cistus spp.) (Athan
Brachypodium ramosum
-
Brachypodium ramosum
W.
ROS Cistus spp Brachypodium ramosum.
Table2.ROS observed during prescribed burns in Cistus spp. mixed with Brachypodium ramosum.
Midflame Wind Speed (
1-hr
(%)
LW
(%)
Slope
(%)
ROS
)
0 13 118 5 0.8
0
13
118
0
0.7
10 13 118 0 1.3
5
15
118
5
1.8
21 - 23
144
0 42 128 84 0.0
0 30 128 70 0.4
5 25 128 36 0.6
7 20 128 60 0.0
0 17 128 36 1.3
0 20 128 60 0.0
Bonneti
3. Pinus brutia Pistacia
terebinthus Pinus brutia
Picture 3. a. Prescribed fire treatment of a shaded fuel break without killing its Pinus brutia trees and Pistacia
terebinthus shrubs, b. Prescribed fire treatment of a firebreak covered by young Pinus brutia trees.
(Andrews
200
BehavePlus
(Athanasiou .
midflame
wind speed steepness, %
ROS (m min Cistus spp.)
Table 3. )values for a range of midflame wind speed and slope conditions in Cistus spp. phryganic
fields.
Midflame Wind Speed,
Slope
Steepness (%)
0
tal)
10 30 60 100
0
0,2
0.2
0.5
1.2
2.9
1,1 0,5 0.5 0.6 1.5 3.2
2,8
0,7
0.7
1.0
1.7
3.5
5
1,2
1.2
1.5
2.2
3.9
7.7
1,7
1.7
1.9
2.6
4.3
21 - 23
145
.
2010).
,
Abstract
This paper presents the first steps of a 2-year pilot project on prescribed burning (PB) in Greece.
We conducted planned field PB experiments and obtained fire behavior data matched with the fire
impact on soil properties, the effects on trees and the plant biodiversity. The experimental fires
served as an excellent training tool, also, for some of the participants (volunteer and professional
firefighters, land managers and researchers). The project aims to introduce PB as a tool for forest
fuel management, increase social ecological resilience to wildfire and contribute to a climate
resilient future. To re-introduce the use of fire in wildfire prevention in Greece, as an accurate and
effective management tool, more research is needed.
21 - 23
146
Alexander, M.E., Thomas D.A., 2003. Wildland Fire Behavior Case Studies and Analyses:
Other Examples, Methods, Reporting Standards, and Some Practical Advice. Fire Management
Today, 63 (4): 4-12.
Alexander, Martin E.,
to the LCES wildland firefighter safety system. Chapter 4 (pages 121-144) in Leblon, Brigitte;
Alexander, Martin E. (editors), Current International Perspectives on Wildland Fires, Mankind and
the Environment. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 272 p.
Andrews, P.L., Bevins, C., Seli, R. 2005. Behave Plus Fire Modeling System, Version 4.0:
, General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106 Revised, Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: Ogden, UT, USA, Volume 106, p. 132.
Ascoli, D., Plana, E., Oggioni, S. D., Tomao, A., Colonico, M., Corona, P., ... &Barbati, A.,
2023. Fire-smart solutions for sustainable wildfire risk prevention: Bottom-up initiatives meet top-
down policies under EU green deal. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 92, 103715.
, . &
-
- -
,
-
-
, , , , ,
Cistus spp -
International Workshop, 8-
Athanasiou, M., Bouchounas, T., Korakaki, E., Tziritis, E., Xanthopoulos, G., Sitara, S. 2022.
Introducing the use of fire for wildfire prevention in Greece: pilot application of prescribed burning
in Chios island. In proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Forest Fire Research:
Advances in Forest Fire Research & 17th International Wildland Fire Safety Summit, 11-18
November 2022, Coimbra, Portugal. D. G. Viegas, Editor. ADAI/CEIF, University of Coimbra,
Portugal. Abstract p. 169, full text on CD (p. 1487-1494), https://doi.org/10.14195/978-989-26-
2298-9_227.
Athanasiou, M., Martinis, A., Korakaki, E. And Avramidou, E.,2023. Development of a Fuel
Model for Cistus spp. and Testing Its Fire Behavior Prediction Performance. Fire 6, no. 7: 247.
https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6070247.
Bonner, S.R., Hoffman, C.M., Kane, J.M., Varner, J.M., Hiers, J.K. , J.J., Rickard,
H.D., Tinkham,W.T., Linn, R.R., Skowronski, N., Parsons, R.A. andSieg, C.H. 2021. Invigorating
Prescribed Fire Science Through Improved Reporting Practices. Front. For. Glob. Change
4:750699. doi: 10.3389/ffgc.2021.750699.
Bouyuoukos, G. 1951. A recalibration of the hydrometer method for making mechanical
analysis of soils. Agronomy Journal. 430: 434-437.
Boyer J. S. 1967. Leaf Water Potentials Measured with a Pressure Chamber. Plant Physiol.
42(1): 133 137. Doi: 10.1104/pp.42.1.133.
Castellnou, M., Kraus, D., Miralles, M., 2010. Prescribed burning and suppression fire
techniques: from fuel to landscape management. In: Montiel C., Kraus D. (Eds) - Best practices of
fire use prescribed burning and suppression fire programmes in selected case-study Regions in
Europe. European Forest Institute Research Report 24: 3-16.
Fernandes, P.M., Davies, G.M., Ascoli, D., Fernandez, C., Moreira, F., 2013. Prescribed
burning in southern Europe: developing fire management in a dynamic landscape. Frontiers in
Ecology and the Environment, Ecological Society of America, 11 (1), pp. e4-e14. 10.1890/120298.
hal-02650706.
21 - 23
147
Fernandes, P. M., Rossa, C. G., Madrigal, J., Rigolot, E., Ascoli, D., Hernando, C., Guijarro, M.
2022. Prescribed burning in the European Mediterranean Basin. Global Applications of Prescribed
Fire. CSIRO Publishing, 230-248.
Fotelli, M.N., Korakaki, E., Paparrizos, S.A., Radoglou, K., Awada, T., Matzarakis, A., 2019.
Environmental Controls on the Seasonal Variation in Gas Exchange and Water Balance in a Near-
Coastal Mediterranean Pinus halepensis Forest. Forests 10: 313.
Jain, Theresa B., Battaglia, Mike A., Han, Han-Sup, Graham, Russell T., Keyes, Christopher R.,
Fried, Jeremy S., Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2012. A comprehensive guide to fuel management
practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-
GTR-292. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station. 331 p.
Keuskamp, J.A., Dingemans, B.J.J., Lehtinen, T., Sarneel, J.M., Hefting, M.M., 2013. Tea Bag
Index: a novel approach to collect uniform decomposition data across ecosystems. Methods
EcolEvol 4, 1070 1075. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12097.
distant from deadly flames. NRDC Issue Brief.
&
-56.
Korakaki, E. and Fotelli, M.N., 2021. Sap Flow in Aleppo Pine in Greece in Relation to
Sapwood Radial Gradient, Temporal and Climatic Variability. Forests:12: 2.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f12010002.
, , , & ,
-
- -6
Loomis, J. B., L. S. Bair, and A. Gonzales-Caban. 2001. Prescribed Fire and Public Support:
Knowledge Gained, Attitudes Changed in Florida. Journal of Forestry no. 99 (11):18-22.
Mazzotta, D., C.S. Olsen, and E. Toman. 2012. Perceptions of smoke management and
prescribed fire programs: an analysis of opportunities in communication, community-based
partnerships and interagency decision making. Paper read at Third Human Dimensions of Wildland
Fire Conference.
McCaffrey, S. 2004. Fighting Fire with Education: What Is the Best Way to Reach Out to
Homeowners?"Journal of Forestry no. 102 (5):12-19.
McCaffrey, S. M., & C. S. Olsen, 2012. Research perspectives on the public and fire
management: a synthesis of current social science on eight essential questions. Newtown Square,
PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station.
Merkhoher, MW. 1993. Risk assessment methods: approaches for assessing health and
environmental risks: Plenum Publishing Corporation.
Moghaddas, J.J., Collins, B.M., Menning, K., Moghaddas, E.E.Y., Stephens, S.L. 2010. Fuel
treatment effects on modeled landscape level fire behavior in the northern Sierra Nevada. Canadian
Journal of Forest Research 40, 1751-1765.
Nastis A., 1989. Control of forest fires in Mediterranean region by use of prescribed burning
and grazing: Effect on forest ecosystem, CEE EV4V 0095 GR (TT), Progress report of the year
1989.
,
- -
-676.
Rego, F., Rigolot, E., Fernandes, P., Montiel, C., &Silva, J. S. 2010. Towards integrated fire
management. European Forest Institute, Policy Brief 4.
21 - 23
148
Rothermel, R.C. 1983. How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires. Gen.
Tech. Rep. INT-143. Ogden, UT: USDA, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range
Experiment Station. 161 p.
-7
-1131.
Samara, Th. Raptis, D. &Spanos, I. 2018. Fuel Treatments and Potential Fire Behavior in Peri-
Urban Forests in Northern Greece. Environments. 5. 79. 10.3390/environments5070079.
Silva J.S., Rego F.C., Fernandes P., Rigolot. E. 2010. Introducing the Fire Paradox. hal-
02823738.
Stephens, Scott L., McIver, James D., Boerner, Ralph E.J., Fettig, Christopher J.. Fontaine,
Joseph B., Hartsough, Bruce R., Kennedy, Patricia L., Schwilk, Dylan W. 2012. Effects of forest
fuel-reduction treatments in the United States. Bioscience 62:549-560.
, ,
-
-
, , , ,
-
Varner, J.M., Hiers, J.K., Wheeler, S.B., McGuire, J., Quinn Davidson, L., Palmer, W.E.,
Fowler, L. 2021. Increasing Pace and Scale of Prescribed Fire via Catastrophe Funds for Liability
Relief. Fire, 4, 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire4040077.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Development of a Fuel Model for Cistus spp. and Testing Its Fire Behavior Prediction Performance
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2023
This paper presents the development of a fuel model that can describe fuel situations in areas dominated by Cistus spp. (rockrose) in Greece. In order to obtain the necessary fuel data, thirty (30) 1 m 2 plots were destructively sampled in phryganic areas dominated by Cistus creticus, Cistus parviflorus, and Cistus salvifolius in western Greece. To develop the fuel model for Cistus spp., field measurements were supplemented with published parameter values for Cistus salvifolius. The resulting fuel model (with a height of 9.44 cm) is suitable for describing Cistus spp.-dominated phryganic areas of relatively low vegetation height in southeastern Europe. Once developed, the fuel model was inputted into the BehavePlus system to produce surface fire rate of spread predictions (ROSpred, m·min −1), which were then compared to 21 surface fire ROS field observations (ROSobs) obtained from wildfires or prescribed burns in areas covered by Cistus spp. It was found that the ROS for the Cistus spp. fuel model significantly underpredicted the actual ROS. A statistically significant linear regression equation was developed to mathematically describe the relationship between the predicted and observed ROS. This equation can be used to adjust BehavePlus predictions to more accurately reflect the real-world fire behavior for this fuel type.
View
Introducing the use of fire for wildfire prevention in Greece: pilot application of prescribed burning in Chios island
Conference Paper
Full-text available
  • Nov 2022
This paper presents the first steps of a 2-year pilot project on prescribed burning (PB) in Greece. To re-introduce the use of fire in wildfire prevention in the country, as an accurate and effective management tool, more research is needed. Hence, we will conduct planned field PB experiments which will provide us sound knowledge about fire behaviour matched with the fire impact on soil properties, the effects on trees and the plant biodiversity. The experimental fires can serve as an excellent training tool, also, for some of the participants (firefighters, land managers and researchers). The first efforts to introduce and utilize the PB in Greece began in the 1970s, when members of the Greek forest scientific community and the Hellenic Forest Service applied PB experimentally, analysed data and drew some preliminary conclusions. They made some steps to document the use of fire and study its impacts before introducing PB as a tool to prevent forest fires. Unfortunately, without constant funding, legal support, logistics, continuous scientific guidance and clear objectives, those sporadic attempts did not tie bonds with the forest and fire management community and the endeavour was soon abandoned. Almost half a century later, fire is still not used in fuel management and fire prevention and there is no institutional framework for the implementation of PB. Inspired by those first efforts in applying PB in Greece and guided by the fire science and the best practices for wildfire prevention, a core team of researchers and practitioners from WWF Greece, the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems of ELGO "DIMITRA", the Forest Directorate of Chios Island, and the Voluntary Action Team “OMIKRON” started in 2021 a pilot project on the implementation of the PB on the island of Chios. Fire Service of Chios Island and Municipality of Chios support the pilot project by supplying water trucks and personnel during the burns. The Project is sponsored by Procter and Gamble corporation. The project aims to introduce PB as a tool for forest fuel management, increase social– ecological resilience to wildfire and contribute to a climate – resilient future. More specifically, the project is expected: i. to develop the standards and procedures, through applied research, for the use of the prescribed fire in Greece, ii. to be a successful paradigm of fuel management, iii. to strengthen the role of the forest service in fuel management and build the capacity of local stakeholders on potential contribution, iv. to strengthen the horizontal cooperation among agencies, by introducing compatible methods and techniques, v. to build the capacity of the volunteer firefighters’ teams on issues related to the wildfire prevention and fuel management, vi. to increase knowledge and improve experience on the fire behaviour, vii. to further strengthen, improve and expand local alliances in Chios Island viii. to improve landscape resilience and prevent forest fires.
View
Sap Flow in Aleppo Pine in Greece in Relation to Sapwood Radial Gradient, Temporal and Climatic Variability
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2020
Research Highlights: The radial gradient of sap flux density (Js) and the effects of climatic factors on sap flow of Aleppo pine were assessed at different time scales in an eastern Mediterranean ecosystem to improve our understanding of the species water balance. Background and Objectives: Aleppo pine’s sap flow radial profile and responses to environmental parameters in the eastern Mediterranean were, to our best knowledge, originating to date from more arid planted forests. Information from natural forests in this region was lacking. Our objectives were to (a) determine the species’ radial variability in Js on a diurnal and seasonal basis and under different climatic conditions, (b) scale up to tree sap flow taking into account the radial profile of Js and (c) determine the responses of Aleppo pine’s sap flow over the year to climatic variability. Materials and Methods: Js was monitored in Aleppo pine in a natural forest in northern Greece with Granier’s method using sensors at three sapwood depths (21, 51, and 81 mm) during two periods differing in climatic conditions, particularly in soil water availability. Results: Js was the highest at 21 mm sapwood depth, and it declined with increasing depth. A steeper gradient of Js in deep sapwood was observed under drier conditions. The same patterns of radial variability in Js were maintained throughout the year, but the contribution of inner sapwood to sap flow was the highest in autumn when the lower seasonal Js was recorded in both study periods. Not taking into account the radial gradient of Js in the studied Aleppo pine would result in a c. 20.2–27.7 % overestimation of total sap flow on a sapwood basis (Qs), irrespective of climatic conditions. On a diurnal and seasonal basis, VPD was the strongest determinant of sap flux density, while at a larger temporal scale, the effect of soil water content was evident. At SWC > 20% sap flow responded positively to increasing solar radiation and VPD, indicating the decisive role of water availability in the studied region. Moreover, in drier days with VPD > 0.7 KPa, SWC controlled the variation of sap flow. Conclusions: There is a considerable radial variability in Js of the studied Aleppo pine and a considerable fluctuation of sap flow with environmental dynamics that should be taken into account when addressing the species water balance.
View
Environmental Controls on the Seasonal Variation in Gas Exchange and Water Balance in a Near-Coastal Mediterranean Pinus halepensis Forest
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2019
Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) is widespread in most countries of the Mediterranean area. In Greece, Aleppo pine forms natural stands of high economic and ecological importance. Understanding the species' ecophysiological traits is important in our efforts to predict its responses to ongoing climate variability and change. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the seasonal dynamic in Aleppo pine gas exchange and water balance on the leaf and canopy levels in response to the intra-annual variability in the abiotic environment. Specifically, we assessed needle gas exchange, water potential and δ 13 C ratio, as well as tree sap flow and canopy conductance in adult trees of a mature near-coastal semi-arid Aleppo pine ecosystem, over two consecutive years differing in climatic conditions, the latter being less xerothermic. Maximum photosynthesis (Amax), stomatal conductance (gs), sap flow per unit leaf area (Ql), and canopy conductance (Gs) peaked in early spring, before the start of the summer season. During summer drought, the investigated parameters were negatively affected by the increasing potential evapotranspiration (PET) rate and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Aleppo pine displayed a water-saving, drought avoidance (isohydric) strategy via stomatal control in response to drought. The species benefited from periods of high available soil water, during the autumn and winter months, when other environmental factors were not limiting. Then, on the leaf level, air temperature had a significant effect on Amax, while on the canopy level, VPD and net radiation affected Ql. Our study demonstrates the plasticity of adult Aleppo pine in this forest ecosystem in response to the concurrent environmental conditions. These findings are important in our efforts to predict and forecast responses of the species to projected climate variability and change in the region.
View
A comprehensive guide to fuel management practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2009
This guide describes the benefits, opportunities, and trade-offs concerning fuel treatments in the dry mixed conifer forests of northern California and the Klamath Mountains, Pacific Northwest Interior, northern and central Rocky Mountains, and Utah. Multiple interacting disturbances and diverse physical settings have created a forest mosaic with historically low- to mixed-severity fire regimes. Analysis of forest inventory data found nearly 80 percent of these forests rate hazardous by at least one measure and 20 to 30 percent rate hazardous by multiple measures. Modeled mechanical treatments designed to mimic what is typically implemented, such as thinning, are effective on less than 20 percent of the forest in single entry, but can be self-funding more often than not. We provide: (1) exhaustive summaries and links to supporting guides and literature on the mechanics of fuel treatments, including mechanical manipulation, prescribed fire, targeted grazing and chemical use; (2) a decision tree to help managers select the best mechanical method for any situation in these regions; (3) discussion on how to apply prescribed fire to achieve diverse and specific objectives; (4) key principles for developing an effective monitoring plan; (5) economic analysis of mechanical fuel treatments in each region; and (6) discussion on fuel treatment longevity. In the electronic version of the document, we have provided links to electronic copies of cited literature available in TreeSearch online document library (http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/).
View
Tea Bag Index: A novel approach to collect uniform decomposition data across ecosystems
Article
Full-text available
1. Changes in the balance between soil carbon storage and release can significantly amplify or attenuate global warming. Although a lot of progress has been made in determining potential drivers of carbon release through large-scale decomposition experiments, climate predictions are still hampered by data limitation at a global scale as a result of high effort and measurement costs of comparative litter decomposition studies. 2. We introduce an innovative, cost-effective, well-standardised method to gather data on decomposition rate and litter stabilisation using commercially available tea bags as standardised test kits. By using two tea types with contrasting decomposability, we can construct a decomposition curve using a single measurement in time. The acquired Tea Bag Index (TBI) consists of two parameters describing decomposition rate (k) and litter stabilisation factor (S). 3. The method was tested for its sensitivity and robustness in contrasting ecosystems and biomes, confirming that the TBI is sensitive enough to discriminate between these systems. Within an ecosystem, TBI is responsive to differences in abiotic circumstances such as soil temperature and moisture content. The collected k and S values are in accordance with expectations based on decomposition process literature. They are therefore interpretable within the current knowledge framework. 4. Tea Bag Index is a unique, multifunctional method requiring few resources and minimal prior knowledge. The standardisation and simplicity of the method make it possible to collect comparable, globally distributed data through crowdsourcing. TBI can further provide an excellent decomposition reference and has the potential to increase reliability of soil carbon flux estimates based on extrapolations of decomposition data.
View
The Effects of Forest Fuel-Reduction Treatments in the United States
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2012
  • BIOSCIENCE
The current conditions of many seasonally dry forests in the western and southern United States, especially those that once experienced low- to moderate-intensity fire regimes, leave them uncharacteristically susceptible to high-severity wildfire. Both prescribed fire and its mechanical surrogates are generally successful in meeting short-term fuel-reduction objectives such that treated stands are more resilient to high-intensity wildfire. Most available evidence suggests that these objectives are typically accomplished with few unintended consequences, since most ecosystem components (vegetation, soils, wildlife, bark beetles, carbon sequestration) exhibit very subtle effects or no measurable effects at all. Although mechanical treatments do not serve as complete surrogates for fire, their application can help mitigate costs and liability in some areas. Desired treatment effects on fire hazards are transient, which indicates that after fuel-reduction management starts, managers need to be persistent with repeated treatment, especially in the faster-growing forests in the southern United States.
View
Fuel treatment effects on modeled landscape-level fire behavior in the northern Sierra Nevada
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2010
Across the western United States, decades of fire exclusion combined with past management history have contributed to the current condition of extensive areas of high-density, shade-tolerant coniferous stands that are increasingly prone to high-severity fires. Here, we report the modeled effects of constructed defensible fuel profile zones and group selection treatments on crown fire potential, flame length, and conditional burn probabilities across 11 land allocation types for an 18600ha study area within the northern Sierra Nevada, California. Fire modeling was completed using FlamMap and FARSITE based on landscape files developed with high-resolution aerial (IKONOS) imagery, ground-based plot data, and integrated data from ARCFUELS and the Forest Vegetation Simulator. Under modeled 97th percentile weather conditions, average conditional burn probability was reduced between pre- and post-treatment landscapes. A more detailed simulation of a hypothetical fire burning under fairly severe fire weather, or problem fire, revealed a 39% reduction in final fire size for the treated landscape relative to the pre-treatment condition. To modify fire behavior at a landscape level, a combination of fuel treatment strategies that address topographic location, land use allocations, vegetation types, and fire regimes is needed.
View
View
Fighting Fire with Education: What Is the Best Way to Reach Out to Homeowners?
Article
  • Jul 2004
Better understanding is needed of what makes educational efforts most effective in increasing public support for wildfire management and mitigation efforts. Results of a mail survey of homeowners in Incline Village, Nevada, indicate that personalized contact is key in the educational process and that which type of contact–government or personal–is more influential depends on the type of practice involved. Notably, prescribed burning appears to have more in common with defensible space than with thinning in terms of how homeowners respond to educational efforts.
View