Nicholas Gregory Heimbuch, Devan Allen McGranahan, Carissa L. Wonkka, Lance T. Vermeire, David H. Branson
{"title":"Grasshopper abundance and offtake increase after prescribed fire in semi-arid grassland","authors":"Nicholas Gregory Heimbuch, Devan Allen McGranahan, Carissa L. Wonkka, Lance T. Vermeire, David H. Branson","doi":"10.1071/wf23031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23031","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Background</strong><p>Fire modulates herbivore dynamics in open ecosystems. While extensive work demonstrates the interaction between fire and vertebrate grazers, less research describes how grasshopper herbivory dynamics respond to fire.</p><strong> Aim</strong><p>We examined how fire increased grass crude protein content and increased the density of and offtake by grasshoppers relative to unburned mixed-grass prairie.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>We deployed grasshopper exclusion cages to determine grasshopper offtake of aboveground plant biomass, counted grasshopper abundance throughout the study period, and measured crude protein content of aboveground grass biomass.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>Offtake and density were higher in burned versus unburned plots. Burned plot grasshopper density increased over time, with greater rates of increase in recently burned plots, while density remained constant in unburned locations.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>We present a potential mechanism by which fire interacts with grasshoppers in open ecosystems. It is likely that greater grasshopper offtake and density in recently-burned plots is at least partially attributable to higher crude protein content, as grass in these plots has a much higher proportion of recent growth after fire removed senesced material.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>Grasshopper herbivory likely acts as a multiplier of livestock herbivory in burned rangeland. Restoring fire regimes can balance direct negative effects of heating against nutritional benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"88 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138507328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoe Webber, Richard Harris, Shane Turner, Simone Pedrini
{"title":"Impact of fire suppressant on seed germination and seedling emergence of native and introduced flora from a Western Australian eucalypt woodland","authors":"Zoe Webber, Richard Harris, Shane Turner, Simone Pedrini","doi":"10.1071/wf23136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23136","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Background</strong><p>Phos-Chek WD881A is a short-term retardant used by fire-fighters in Western Australia to suppress and control the movement of fire across the landscape. It is currently applied at a working concentration of 0.1–1%.</p><strong> Aim</strong><p>Our objective was to assess and quantify the impact of the suppressant on seed germination and seedling emergence across eight native and two weed species commonly found in <i>Eucalyptus wandoo</i> woodland.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>Seeds were exposed to five Phos-Chek concentrations, from 0 to 10% (v/v), in a germination trial in Petri dishes, and three concentrations of 0, 0.1 and 1% (v/v) in a seedling emergence trial.</p><strong> Key findings</strong><p>Increasing concentrations of Phos-Chek both delayed and reduced germination and emergence for all species except <i>Acacia saligna.</i> The sensitivity to Phos-Chek varied among the tested species.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>Phos-Chek had a significant impact on the germination and emergence of native and invasive species, with irreversible damage to seed viability in one taxa (<i>Allocasuarina humilis</i>).</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>It is recommended that applications of Phos-Chek foam remain closer to the minimum recommended concentration (0.1% v/v) to reduce adverse effects on the recruitment of sensitive species, particularly during dry autumns when leaching of this chemical is likely to be limited.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"98 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138507320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Laboratory benchmark of low-cost portable gas and particle analysers at the source of smouldering wildfires","authors":"Wuquan Cui, Simona Dossi, G. Rein","doi":"10.1071/wf22150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf22150","url":null,"abstract":"Background Smouldering wildfires emit large amounts of carbon, toxic gases and particulate matter (PM), posing health and environmental hazards. It is challenging to conduct field measurements on wildfire emissions, and available instruments are limited by high cost and low mobility. Aim Here, we contribute to solving this challenge by studying three commercial low-cost and portable air quality analysers (KANE101, SDS011 and FLOW) and comparing them with research-grade instruments (FTIR, PM Cascade Impactor and DustTrak). Methods A series of laboratory experiments on peat smouldering were conducted including the stages of ignition, spread and burnout to provide conditions of emission measurements near the source. Key results The gas analyser KANE101 accurately measured CO2 and allowed calculation of modified combustion efficiency (MCE). The FLOW air pollution sensor was found unsuitable for PM measurements near fire sources because of its narrow range. FLOW captured the variation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but measurements did not correlate well with NO2 measurements. The SDS011 PM sensor responded well in measuring PM10 in this study. Conclusions KANE101 and SDS011 can be used in the field after calibration to measure CO2/CO and PM. Implications This work provides a better understanding of how low-cost and portable emission sensors can be of use for wildfire measurements in the field.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"24 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139254548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"IX International Conference on Forest Fire Research and 17th International Wildland Fire Safety Summit: special issue introduction (Part 4)","authors":"Mike Flannigan, D. X. Viegas, Luís Mário Ribeiro","doi":"10.1071/wf23173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23173","url":null,"abstract":"The 9th International Conference on Forest Fire Research, organised by the Forest Fire Research Center of the Association for Developmental of Industrial Aerodynamics every 4 years since 1990, was held in November 2022 in Coimbra, Portugal. The conference was held in conjunction with the 17th International Wildland Fire Safety Summit, sponsored by the International Association of Wildland Fire. The number and quality of the submissions for this joint event was very high, and the authors were encouraged to submit a full paper to a special issue of the International Journal of Wildland Fire (IJWF). Given the large number of submissions, the Journal decided to publish the special issue in four parts. Part 1 was published in January 2023, with eight papers, Part 2 in March 2023, with 10 papers and Part 3 in June 2023 with 15 papers. This fourth part presents 10 original papers, in three areas: Decision Support Systems and Tools (3), Risk Assessment & Reduction (3) and the Wildland Urban Interface (4). All the papers in this special issue are published Open Access.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139253007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bianca J. Pickering, Lauren T. Bennett, Jane G. Cawson
{"title":"Extending methods for assessing fuel hazard in temperate Australia to enhance data quality and consistency","authors":"Bianca J. Pickering, Lauren T. Bennett, Jane G. Cawson","doi":"10.1071/wf22219","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf22219","url":null,"abstract":"Background Assessments of fuel (vegetation) are needed to predict fire behaviour. Broad visual methods support quick in-field management decisions but can be too imprecise to detect variations in fuel for other purposes. Aims We evaluated the utility of integrating more comprehensive fuel measurement techniques into an existing visual fuel hazard assessment method. Methods We developed an extended method for measuring fuel hazard, including line-intercept measurements and clearer tables for assigning fuel hazard scores, and compared it with the existing Overall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide fourth edition, which is often used in temperate Australia. Methods were tested across 69 eucalypt woodland plots of the same broad fuel type. Key results The existing method estimated higher near-surface and elevated cover compared with the extended method, but less surface cover. Assigned hazard scores changed markedly when using the clearer hazard tables. Over half the plots had differences of one or more in hazard score for surface, near-surface and elevated fuel between the existing and extended methods. Conclusions The extended method provided a more methodical and consistent approach for assessing fuel hazard, but was more time-consuming than the existing method. Implications The extended method provides an alternative method for monitoring and research purposes when data quality is important.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136010417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evan E. Hjerpe, Melanie M. Colavito, Catrin M. Edgeley, Jack T. Burnett, Thomas Combrink, Diane Vosick, Andrew Sánchez Meador
{"title":"Measuring the long-term costs of uncharacteristic wildfire: a case study of the 2010 Schultz Fire in Northern Arizona","authors":"Evan E. Hjerpe, Melanie M. Colavito, Catrin M. Edgeley, Jack T. Burnett, Thomas Combrink, Diane Vosick, Andrew Sánchez Meador","doi":"10.1071/wf23036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23036","url":null,"abstract":"Background Wildfires often have long-lasting costs that are difficult to document and are rarely captured in full. Aims We provide an example for measuring the full costs of a single wildfire over time, using a case study from the 2010 Schultz Fire near Flagstaff, Arizona, to enhance our understanding of the long-term costs of uncharacteristic wildfire. Methods We conducted a partial remeasurement of a 2013 study on the costs of the Schultz Fire by updating government and utility expenditures, conducting a survey of affected homeowners, estimating costs to ecosystem services and updating costs to real 2021 US dollars. Key results Costs associated with the Schultz Fire continued to accrue over 10 years, particularly those associated with post-wildfire flooding, totalling between US$109 and US$114 million. Suppression costs represented only 10% of total costs. Conclusions This study is the first of its kind to include a remeasurement of wildfire costs and to provide a long-term assessment of the same wildfire over a 10-year period. Implications Our results and lessons learned can help standardise approaches for full cost accounting of wildfire and illuminate the breadth of typically latent and indirect economic costs of wildfire such as post-wildfire flooding.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136129017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Can predators influence small rodent foraging activity rates immediately after wildfires?","authors":"Roger Puig-Gironès","doi":"10.1071/wf23023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23023","url":null,"abstract":"Background Habitat complexity, predation risk, and intraspecific competition shape rodent communities and impact foraging. Wildfires remove vegetation shelter, which increases the predation risk perception and leads to changes in trophic resources availability. Consequently, prey adjust their foraging activity levels to minimise the likelihood of encounters with predators. Rodents select safe habitats and can detect predators’ scents, which allows them to reduce the predation risk when foraging. Aims To evaluate the effects of carnivore occurrence and habitat structure on rodent foraging activity rates immediately after fires using mixed models and structural equation modelling. Methods This study used 900-m linear transects to analyse environmental variables, acorn removal by rodents, and carnivore activity in three recently burnt areas. Results In areas with higher stone marten abundances, rodents removed more acorns. However, acorn removal was also higher in structurally complex habitats with greater rodent abundance. Conclusions Rodents’ foraging activity is driven by increased interspecific competition and the predation risk perception due to the simplicity of the burnt habitat. Additionally, stone martens and rodents share the same preferences for habitat complexity after fires. Implications Habitat complexity increases seed holding by rodents, which positively contributes to fire recovery and attracts predators, thereby increasing species diversity.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"33 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136313455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Australia’s megafires: biodiversity impacts and lessons from 2019 to 2020","authors":"Jose V. Roces-Diaz","doi":"10.1071/wf23135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23135","url":null,"abstract":"International Journal of Wildland Fire publishes papers on the principles of fire as a process, on its ecological impact at the stand level and the landscape level, modelling fire and its effects, or presenting information on how to effectively and efficiently manage fire","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"41 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135436367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. G. Cawson, J. E. Burton, B. J. Pickering, V. Demetriou, A. I. Filkov
{"title":"Quantifying the flammability of living plants at the branch scale: which metrics to use?","authors":"J. G. Cawson, J. E. Burton, B. J. Pickering, V. Demetriou, A. I. Filkov","doi":"10.1071/wf23007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23007","url":null,"abstract":"Background Plant flammability is an important factor in fire behaviour and post-fire ecological responses. There is consensus about the broad attributes (or axes) of flammability but little consistency in their measurement. Aims We sought to provide a pathway towards greater consistency in flammability research by identifying a subset of preferred flammability metrics for living plants. Methods Flammability was measured at the branch scale using a range of metrics for 140 plant specimens in an apparatus that simulates an approaching fire front. Key results We identified a subset of preferred metrics, which quantify the axes of flammability for living plants, including time to ignition (ignitability), peak heat release rate (combustibility), flaming duration (sustainability) and consumption (consumability). Flaming duration was strongly correlated with heat release rate, so could be a proxy for combustibility. Flammability was higher for species with greater surface area and biomass per branch. Conclusions We identified a subset of preferred metrics for quantifying the flammability of living plants. These metrics quantify the key axes of flammability and are measurable using different experimental apparatus and across multiple scales, making them suitable for widespread use. Implications The inclusion of these flammability metrics in future studies has the potential to enhance consistency and comparability between studies.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135436368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transitioning operational satellite grassland curing from MODIS to VIIRS","authors":"Danielle Wright, Leon Majewski","doi":"10.1071/wf22227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf22227","url":null,"abstract":"Background In Australia, grassland curing (senescence) is an essential component in fire danger calculations. In seven (out of eight) states/territories in Australia, operational curing data are derived from the MapVictoria satellite model. From 2013 to 2023, MapVictoria data have been calculated using MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data from the Terra satellite. Terra has exceeded its designed mission lifetime, but the continuation of satellite curing data is crucial for fire agencies to continue fire danger calculations. Aims The aim of this study was to adjust the MapVictoria model so it could be calculated using a newer satellite sensor system: Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). Methods Data from the VIIRS bands were adjusted to match those of MODIS using timeseries from 2013 to 2020. The adjusted VIIRS bands were used to derive a VIIRS curing model: ‘viirs-mvcuring’. Key results The viirs–mvcuring model exhibited lower curing estimates than MODIS by up to 2.6% in Northern sites and 1.4% in Southern sites and exhibited lower curing estimates than ground-based curing by 0.1% in Northern sites and 3.5% in Southern sites. Conclusions The development of the viirs–mvcuring model has ensured continued availability of satellite curing data. Implications The transition to VIIRS will provide continued input of curing into fire danger calculations across Australia.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134989622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}