Global assessment and mapping of ecological vulnerability to wildfires
In: Natural hazards and earth system sciences: NHESS, Band 22, Heft 9, S. 2981-3003
Abstract
Abstract. Fire is a natural phenomenon that has played a critical
role in transforming the environment and maintaining biodiversity at a
global scale. However, the plants in some habitats have not developed
strategies for recovery from fire or have not adapted to the changes taking
place in their fire regimes. Maps showing ecological vulnerability to fires
could contribute to environmental management policies in the face of global
change scenarios. The main objective of this study is to assess and map
ecological vulnerability to fires on a global scale. To this end, we created
ecological value and post-fire regeneration delay indices on the basis of
existing global databases. Two ecological value indices were identified:
biological distinction and conservation status. For the post-fire
regeneration delay index, various factors were taken into account, including
the type of fire regime, the increase in the frequency and intensity of
forest fires, and the potential soil erosion they can cause. These indices
were combined by means of a qualitative cross-tabulation to create a new
index evaluating ecological vulnerability to fire. The results showed that
global ecological value could be reduced by as much as 50 % due to fire
perturbation of poorly adapted ecosystems. The terrestrial biomes most
affected are the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest, tundra,
mangroves, tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, and tropical and
subtropical dry broadleaf forests.
Problem melden