Wildfires in boreal ecosystems: past, present and some emerging trends
Martin P. Girardin A E , Adam A. Ali B C and Christelle Hély D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, 1055 du P.E.P.S., PO Box 10380, Stn Sainte-Foy, Québec, QC, G1V 4C7, Canada.
B Centre de Bio-Archéologie et d’Écologie (UMR 5059 CNRS), Université Montpellier 2, 163 rue Auguste-Broussonet, Montpellier, F-34090, France.
C Chaire industrielle en aménagement forestier durable (NSERC-UQAT-UQAM), CP 8888, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
D Centre Européen de Recherche et d’Enseignement des Géosciences de l’Environnement, Université Aix-Marseille III, CNRS UMR 6635, Europôle de l’Arbois, BP 80, Aix-en-Provence cedex 4, F-13545, France.
E Corresponding author. Email: martin.girardin@nrcan.gc.ca
International Journal of Wildland Fire 19(8) 991-995 https://doi.org/10.1071/WFv19n8_FO
Published: 10 December 2010
Abstract
With the emergence of a new forest management paradigm based on the emulation of natural disturbance regimes, interest in fire-related studies has increased in the boreal forest management community. A key issue in this regard is the improvement of our understanding of the variability in past disturbances and its linkages with climate and ecosystems. The surge in research activity has further been exacerbated by the increasing awareness of climate change, which has already exposed boreal forests to greater fire risk in recent decades. It is anticipated that further warming and drying will further enhance fire frequency and area burned in many boreal forests. Better predictions of future fire activity will contribute to better long-term forest planning in managed boreal forests. The 12 papers presented in this special issue exemplify this increased research activity by bringing together studies from diverse disciplines and presenting the latest advances regarding methodological approaches for reconstruction and modelling of past, present and future fire activity. Here we aim to summarise, evaluate and set into context some of the new insights arising from these studies and also to discuss some considerations to be taken into account in future research activities.
Additional keywords: biomass burning, carbon emissions, charcoal analysis, fire history, palaeoecology, simulation model.
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