Modelling canopy fuel dynamics of maritime pine stands in north-west Spain
Ana Daría Ruiz-González A D , Fernando Castedo-Dorado B , José Antonio Vega C , Enrique Jiménez C , José María Fernández-Alonso C and Juan Gabriel Álvarez-González A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Departamento de Ingeniería Agroforestal. Escuela Politécnica Superior. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Campus Universitario s/n. 27002, Lugo. España.
B Departamento de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agrarias. Escuela Superior y Técnica de Ingeniería Agraria. Universidad de León, Campus de Ponferrada. Avda. de Astorga s/n. 24400 Ponferrada, León. España.
C Centro de Investigación Forestal de Lourizán. PO Box 127. 36080 Pontevedra. España.
D Corresponding author. Email: anadaria.ruiz@usc.es
International Journal of Wildland Fire 24(1) 92-102 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF14020
Submitted: 19 February 2014 Accepted: 4 September 2014 Published: 2 February 2015
Abstract
Effective silvicultural strategies for reducing the likelihood and severity of crown fires include increasing canopy base height (CBH) and reducing canopy bulk density (CBD). These variables depend to a certain degree on stand structure and are therefore responsive to stand density management through thinning. In this study, data from permanent sample plots and thinning trials were used to model the dynamics of canopy fuel variables in maritime pine stands in north-western Spain. On the basis of the state–space modelling approach, the canopy fuel conditions at any point in time were assumed to be adequately defined by three state variables: number of stems per hectare (N), canopy fuel load (CFL) and CBH. These variables were projected by simultaneous fitting of three transition functions, which explained more than 77, 96 and 97% of the observed variability in N, CFL and CBH. The effect of thinning was modelled by including a thinning response function. Once the state variables were determined for a given point in time, CBD was derived from CFL, CBH and average stand height, thus ensuring compatibility between estimates. The system of equations developed, together with fire management decision support systems, will enable assessment of the crown fire potential associated with different silvicultural alternatives.
Additional keywords: canopy base height, canopy bulk density, canopy fuel load, ecoregion effect, thinning effect.
References
Affleck DLR, Keyes CR, Goodburn JM (2012) Conifer crown fuel modeling: current limits and potential for improvement. Western Journal of Applied Forestry 27, 165–169.| Conifer crown fuel modeling: current limits and potential for improvement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Agee JK, Skinner CN (2005) Basic principles of forest fuel reduction treatments. Forest Ecology and Management 211, 83–96.
| Basic principles of forest fuel reduction treatments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Alexander ME, Cruz MG (2011) Crown fire dynamics in conifer forests. In ‘Synthesis of Knowledge of Extreme Fire Behavior: Volume I for Fire Managers’. (Eds PA Werth, BE Potter, CB Clements, MA Finney, SL Goodrick, ME Alexander, MG Cruz, JA Forthofer, SS McAllister) USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, General Technical Report PNW-GTR-854, pp. 107–144. (Portland, OR).
Alía R, Moro J, Denis JB (1997) Performance of Pinus pinaster Ait. provenances in Spain: interpretation of the genotype-environment interaction. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 27, 1548–1559.
| Performance of Pinus pinaster Ait. provenances in Spain: interpretation of the genotype-environment interaction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Álvarez González JG, Castedo Dorado F, Ruiz González AD, López Sánchez CA, von Gadow K (2004) A two-step mortality model for even-aged stands of Pinus radiata D. Don in Galicia (Northwestern Spain). Annals of Forest Science 61, 439–448.
| A two-step mortality model for even-aged stands of Pinus radiata D. Don in Galicia (Northwestern Spain).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Álvarez González JG, Ruiz AD, Rodríguez RJ, Barrio M (2005) Development of ecoregion-based site index models for even-aged stands of Pinus pinaster Ait. in Galicia (north-western Spain). Annals of Forest Science 62, 115–127.
| Development of ecoregion-based site index models for even-aged stands of Pinus pinaster Ait. in Galicia (north-western Spain).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barrio-Anta M, Balboa-Murias MA, Castedo-Dorado F, Diéguez-Aranda U, Álvarez-González JG (2006a) An ecoregional model for estimating volume, biomass and carbon pools in maritime pine stands in Galicia (northwestern Spain). Forest Ecology and Management 223, 24–34.
| An ecoregional model for estimating volume, biomass and carbon pools in maritime pine stands in Galicia (northwestern Spain).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barrio-Anta M, Castedo-Dorado F, Diéguez-Aranda U, Álvarez-González JG, Parresol BR, Rodríguez-Soalleiro R (2006b) Development of a basal area growth system for maritime pine in northwestern Spain using the generalized algebraic difference approach. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36, 1461–1474.
| Development of a basal area growth system for maritime pine in northwestern Spain using the generalized algebraic difference approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bates DM, Watts DG (1988) ‘Nonlinear Regression Analysis and its Applications.’ (John Wiley & Sons: New York)
Bigelow SW, North MP (2012) Microclimate effects of fuels-reduction and group-selection silviculture: implications for fire behaviour in Sierran mixed-conifer forests. Forest Ecology and Management 264, 51–59.
| Microclimate effects of fuels-reduction and group-selection silviculture: implications for fire behaviour in Sierran mixed-conifer forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bilgili E (2003) Stand development and fire behavior. Forest Ecology and Management 179, 333–339.
| Stand development and fire behavior.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bilgili E, Methven IR (1994) A dynamic fuel model for use in managed even-aged stands. International Journal of Wildland Fire 4, l77–185.
| A dynamic fuel model for use in managed even-aged stands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Castedo-Dorado F, Barrio-Anta M, Parresol BR, Álvarez-González JG (2005) A stochastic height-diameter model for maritime pine ecoregions in Galicia (northwestern Spain). Annals of Forest Science 62, 455–465.
| A stochastic height-diameter model for maritime pine ecoregions in Galicia (northwestern Spain).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chiono LA, O’Hara KL, De Lasaux MJ, Nader GA, Stephens SL (2012) Development of vegetation and surface fuels following fire hazard reduction treatment. Forests 3, 700–722.
| Development of vegetation and surface fuels following fire hazard reduction treatment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clutter JL, Fortson JC, Pienaar LV, Brister HG, Bailey RL (1983) ‘Timber Management: a Quantitative Approach.’ (John Wiley & Sons: New York)
Crecente-Campo F, Álvarez-González JG, Castedo-Dorado F, Diéguez-Aranda U (2013) Development of crown profile models for Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus sylvestris L. in northwestern Spain. Forestry 86, 481–491.
| Development of crown profile models for Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus sylvestris L. in northwestern Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cruz MG, Alexander ME (2010) Assessing crown fire potential in coniferous forests of western North America: a critique of current approaches and recent simulation studies. International Journal of Wildland Fire 19, 377–398.
| Assessing crown fire potential in coniferous forests of western North America: a critique of current approaches and recent simulation studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cruz MG, Alexander ME (2012) Evaluating regression model estimates of canopy fuel stratum characteristics in four crown fire-prone fuel types in western North America. International Journal of Wildland Fire 21, 168–179.
| Evaluating regression model estimates of canopy fuel stratum characteristics in four crown fire-prone fuel types in western North America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cruz MG, Alexander ME, Wakimoto RH (2003) Assessing canopy fuel stratum characteristics in crown fire prone fuel types of western North America. International Journal of Wildland Fire 12, 39–50.
| Assessing canopy fuel stratum characteristics in crown fire prone fuel types of western North America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cruz MG, Alexander ME, Wakimoto RH (2005) Development and testing of models for predicting crown fire rate of spread in conifer forest stands. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35, 1626–1639.
| Development and testing of models for predicting crown fire rate of spread in conifer forest stands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cruz MG, Alexander ME, Fernandes PAM (2008) Development of a model system to predict wildfire behaviour in pine plantations. Australian Forestry 71, 113–121.
| Development of a model system to predict wildfire behaviour in pine plantations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Diéguez-Aranda U, Castedo-Dorado F, Álvarez-González JG, Rodríguez-Soalleiro R (2005) Modelling mortality of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantations in the northwest of Spain. European Journal of Forest Research 124, 143–153.
| Modelling mortality of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantations in the northwest of Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Diéguez-Aranda U, Rojo Alboreca A, Castedo-Dorado F, Álvarez González JG, Barrio-Anta M, Crecente-Campo F, González González JM, Pérez-Cruzado C, Rodríguez Soalleiro R, López-Sánchez CA, Balboa-Murias MA, Gorgoso Varela JJ, Sánchez Rodríguez F (2009) ‘Herramientas selvícolas para la gestión forestal sostenible en Galicia.’ (Consellería do Medio Rural, Xunta de Galicia: Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
Durbin JWatson GS (1950 )
Durbin JWatson GS (1951 )
Fernandes PM, Rigolot E (2007) The fire ecology and management of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.). Forest Ecology and Management 241, 1–13.
| The fire ecology and management of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fernández-Alonso JM, Alberdi I, Álvarez-González JG, Vega JA, Cañellas I, Ruiz-González AD (2013) Canopy fuel characteristics in relation to crown fire potential in pine stands: analysis, modelling and classification. European Journal of Forest Research 132, 363–377.
| Canopy fuel characteristics in relation to crown fire potential in pine stands: analysis, modelling and classification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
García O (1994) The state–space approach in growth modelling. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 24, 1894–1903.
| The state–space approach in growth modelling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
García O (2011) A parsimonious dynamic stand model for interior spruce in British Columbia. Forest Science 57, 265–280.
García O (2013) Building a dynamic growth model for trembling aspen in western Canada without age data. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 43, 256–265.
| Building a dynamic growth model for trembling aspen in western Canada without age data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
García O, Burkhart HE, Amateis RL (2011) A biologically-consistent stand growth model for loblolly pine in the Piedmont physiographic region, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 262, 2035–2041.
| A biologically-consistent stand growth model for loblolly pine in the Piedmont physiographic region, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ginn SH, Seiler JR, Cazell BH, Kreh RE (1991) Physiological and growth responses of eight-year-old loblolly pine stands to thinning. Forest Science 37, 1030–1040.
Gómez-Vázquez I, Crecente-Campo F, Diéguez-Aranda U, Castedo-Dorado F (2013) Modelling canopy fuel variables in Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus radiata D. Don stands in northwestern Spain. Annals of Forest Science 70, 161–172.
| Modelling canopy fuel variables in Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus radiata D. Don stands in northwestern Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Graham RT, Harvey A, Jain T, Tonn JR (1999) The effects of thinning and similar stand treatments on fire behavior in western forests. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, General Technical Report PNWGTR-463. (Portland, OR).
Hasenauer H, Burkhart HE, Amateis RL (1997) Basal area development in thinned and unthinned loblolly pine plantations. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 27, 265–271.
| Basal area development in thinned and unthinned loblolly pine plantations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hossfeld JW (1822) ‘Mathematik für Forstmänner, Ökonomen und Cameralisten.’ (Hennings: Gotha, Germany)
Hynynen J (1995) Predicting the growth response to thinning for Scots pine stands using individual-tree growth models. Silva Fennica 29, 225–246.
| Predicting the growth response to thinning for Scots pine stands using individual-tree growth models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knoebel BR, Burkhart HE, Beck DE (1986) ‘A growth and yield model for thinned stands of yellow-poplar.’ (Forest Science Monograph 27, Society of American Foresters: Washington, DC).
Korf V (1939) Pfispevek k matematicke definici vzrustoveho zakona lesnich porostii. Lesnicka prace 18, 339–356.
Liu J, Burkhart HE, Amateis RL (1995) Projecting crown measures for loblolly pine trees using a generalized thinning response function. Forest Science 41, 43–53.
MARM (2009) Resolución de 28 de julio de 2009, de la Dirección General de Recursos Agrícolas y Ganaderos, por la que se autoriza y publica el Catálogo Nacional de las Regiones de Procedencia relativa a diversas especies forestales (BOE de 16 de septiembre de 2009). Available at http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2009/09/16/pdfs/BOE-A-2009-14709.pdf [Verified 7 February 2014]
MARM (2011) Cuarto Inventario Forestal Nacional. Galicia. Dirección General de Médio Natural y Política Forestal. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino.
Mitsopoulos ID, Dimitrakopoulos AP (2014) Estimation of canopy fuel characteristics of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forests in Greece based on common stand parameters. European Journal of Forest Research 133, 73–79.
| Estimation of canopy fuel characteristics of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forests in Greece based on common stand parameters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Peterson JA, Seiler JR, Nowak J, Ginn SE, Kreh RE (1997) Growth and physiological responses of young loblolly pine stands to thinning. Forest Science 43, 529–543.
Pienaar LV (1979) An approximation of basal area growth after thinning based on growth in unthinned plantations. Forest Science 25, 223–232.
Prichard SJ, Peterson DL, Jacobson K (2010) Fuel treatments reduce the severity of wildfire effects in dry mixed conifer forest, Washington, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 40, 1615–1626.
| Fuel treatments reduce the severity of wildfire effects in dry mixed conifer forest, Washington, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Raymond CL, Peterson DL (2005) Fuel treatments alter the effects of wildfire in a mixed-evergreen forest, Oregon, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35, 2981–2995.
| Fuel treatments alter the effects of wildfire in a mixed-evergreen forest, Oregon, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Richards FJ (1959) A flexible growth function for empirical use. Journal of Experimental Botany 10, 290–300.
| A flexible growth function for empirical use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rodríguez-Soalleiro RJ, Madrigal A (2008) Selvicultura de Pinus pinaster Ait. subsp. atlantica H. de Vill. In ‘Compendio de Selvicultura aplicada en España’. (Eds R Serrada, G Montero, JA Reque) pp. 367–398. (INIA, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia: Madrid, Spain)
Ruiz-González AD, Álvarez-González JG (2011) Canopy bulk density and canopy base height equations for assessing crown fire hazard in Pinus radiata plantations. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 41, 839–850.
| Canopy bulk density and canopy base height equations for assessing crown fire hazard in Pinus radiata plantations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
SAS Institute Inc (2008) SAS/ETS® 9.2 users guide. (SAS Institute: Cary)
Scott JH, Reinhardt ED (2001) Assessing crown fire potential by linking models of surface and crown fire behavior. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Research Paper RMRS-RP-29. (Fort Collins, CO)
Scott JH, Reinhardt ED (2007) Effects of alternative treatments on canopy fuel characteristics in five conifer stands. In ‘Restoring Fire-adapted Ecosystems: Proceedings of the 2005 National Silviculture Workshop’, 6–10 June 2005, Tahoe City, CA. (Ed. R Powers) USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, General Technical Report PSW-GTR-203, pp. 193–209. (Albany, CA)
Stephens SL, Collins BM, Roller G (2012) Fuel treatment longevity in a Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest. Forest Ecology and Management 285, 204–212.
| Fuel treatment longevity in a Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vaillant N, Noonan-Wright E, Dailey S, Ewell C, Reiner A (2013) Effectiveness and longevity of fuel treatments in coniferous forests across California. Final Report to the Join Fire Science Program, Project ID: 09–1-01–1. Available from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/jfspresearch/57/ [Verified 20/10/14]
Van Wagner CE (1977) Conditions for the start and spread of crown fire. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 7, 24–34.
Von Bertalanffy L (1949) Problems of organic growth. Nature 163, 156–158.
| Problems of organic growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Von Bertalanffy L (1957) Quantitative laws in metabolism and growth. The Quarterly Review of Biology 32, 217–231.
| Quantitative laws in metabolism and growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaG1c%2FivVSksw%3D%3D&md5=87e8906b394ba23442e05392e13aa88cCAS | 13485376PubMed |
Waldrop T, Phillips RA, Simon DA (2010) Fuels and predicted fire behaviour in the Southern Appalachian Mountains after fire and fire surrogate treatments. Forest Science 56, 32–45.
Zarnoch SJ, Feduccia DP, Baldwin VC, Dell TR (1991) Growth and yield predictions for thinned and unthinned slash pine plantations on cutover sites in the West Gulf region. USDA Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, Research Paper SO-264 (New Orleans, LA)
