Fuel characteristics of arctic plant species and simulated plant community flammability by Rothermel's model

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 898-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. W. Sylvester ◽  
Ross W. Wein
Keyword(s):  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Caloric Content ◽  
Mackenzie Delta ◽  
Vaccinium Uliginosum ◽  
Forest Tundra ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Epilobium Angustifolium ◽  
Fuel Characteristics

The relative fuel-potentials of 12 northern tundra and forest–tundra ground species of the Mackenzie delta area were evaluated from measured fuel characteristics by simulating a test fire with the Rothermel (1972) fire behavior model. The relative importance of the fuel parameters were in decreasing order: moisture content, biomass, fineness (surface/volume ratio), packing ratio, silica-free ash content, and caloric content. The fuel-potential ratings of the vascular species and of the communities were differentiated primarily by their leaf characteristics. Dead leaves of Calamagrostis canadensis and Eriophorum vaginatum constituted the most flammable fuels measured. Evergreen Ledum palustre and Empetrum nigrum were clearly differentiated from the live vascular species by higher flammability ratings. Of the cryptogam fuels, Cladonia-type lichens were rated intermediate between the above evergreen ericoids and the deciduous woody species (Betula glandulosa, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix glauca), while Sphagnum sp. was rated comparable to the latter groups. Epilobium angustifolium received the lowest ratings of all species.Subject to the limitations with respect to ether-extractive contents, the relative fuel potential of tundra and forest–tundra plant communities can be rated on measured fuel characteristics, community composition, and the criteria of the Rothermel model. Possible applications of this study were raised, particularly the use of relatively nonflammable plants in land management.

Natural plant recolonization of surficial disturbances, Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula Region, Northwest Territories

1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 2177-2196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helios Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Plant Cover ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Mackenzie Delta ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Sedge Meadows ◽  
Tall Shrub ◽  
Seismic Lines ◽  
Plant Recolonization

Seismic lines or winter roads were sampled where they passed through three different plant communities in the Mackenzie Delta and through four of the major tundra communities in the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. Winter seismic lines have been less detrimental than summer lines for all communities examined. Although winter roads through upland areas remove most of the vegetation cover, the peat layer usually remains intact and soil energy budgets are relatively little affected. Wetland sedge meadows are highly susceptible to summer disturbance but least affected by winter operations. Winter-disturbed forested and tall shrub communities recover faster initially than similarly disturbed upland tundra communities.Eriophorum vaginatum and Carex bigelowii appeared to be stimulated by disturbances which did not eliminate them, with Eriophorum often flowering more abundantly in disturbed areas. This probably results from warmer soils and greater nutrient uptake.Summer seismic lines (1965), originally bladed to permafrost, resulted in exposure of mineral soil and thus led to secondary succession in tundra communities. Arctagrostis latifolia, Calamagrostis canadensis, Poa arctica, and Luzula confusa are the most typical and abundant pioneers of upland mesic sites. Wet sites are colonized predominantly by Arctophila fulva and Carex aquatilis. Once established, these species expanded rhizomatously. Six years after exposure of mineral soil, plant cover was usually 30 to 50%.Thaw was generally increased 80 to 100% where mineral soil was exposed, 30 to 50% if the peat remained intact, and 10% if plant cover was little altered. Subsurface ice has occasionally been exposed, resulting in thermokarst subsidence. Water erosion has not been a factor, probably because of the low precipitation in the region.

scholarly journals Use of an Aspen Overstory to Control Understory Herbaceous Species, Bluejoint Grass (Calamagrostis canadensis), and Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Maundrell ◽  
Chris Hawkins
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Photosynthetic Photon Flux ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Canopy Opening ◽  
Epilobium Angustifolium

Abstract To enhance white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] regeneration and growth, the potential for using an aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) overstory to suppress bluejoint grass [Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.)] and fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L) was investigated. Response to canopy opening was assessed on 10 treatments where the canopy had been incrementally opened. At the summer solstice, measurements of attenuated light were taken at 1.3 meters (breast height). Bluejoint grass and fireweed both responded with greater ground cover as the photosynthetic photon flux density increased (R2 = 0.84, P = 0.0002; R2 = 0.90, P = 0.0001; respectively). Where aspen has developed an overstory canopy, it may be possible to control competing vegetation to create favorable environmental conditions for spruce re-establishment, growth, and release while encouraging a sustainable mixedwood stand.

scholarly journals Evaluating Potential Fire Behavior in Lodgepole Pine-Dominated Forests after a Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in North-Central Colorado

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer G. Klutsch ◽  
Mike A. Battaglia ◽  
Daniel R. West ◽  
Sheryl L. Costello ◽  
José F. Negrón
Keyword(s):  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Surface Fire ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Fuel Characteristics

Abstract A mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado lodgepole pine forests has altered stand and fuel characteristics that affect potential fire behavior. Using the Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator, potential fire behavior was modeled for uninfested and mountain pine beetle-affected plots 7 years after outbreak initiation and 10 and 80% projected tree fall using measured and projected fuel and stand characteristics. Under 90th percentile weather conditions, uninfested plots exhibited proportionally more crown fire than infested plots. Plots predicted to have crown fire were composed mainly of nonhost conifer species and had a lower and more continuous canopy than infested plots. Where surface fire was predicted to occur, live lodgepole pine was the only conifer present, and plots had significantly lower tree mortality from fire than plots predicted to have crown fire. Mountain pine beetle-induced changes in stand and fuel characteristics resulted in increased intensity of surface fire behavior. Furthermore, with 80% infested tree fall, potential smoke production was predicted to be higher. Tree species composition of stands pre and postbark beetle outbreak is important when identifying mountain pine beetle-caused changes to potential fire behavior.

Modern pollen assemblages near the arctic tree line, Mackenzie Delta region, Northwest Territories

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Northwest Territories ◽  
Lake Sediment ◽  
Local Community ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Mackenzie Delta ◽  
Forest Tundra ◽  
Transitional Area ◽  
Modern Pollen ◽  
Pollen Rain

Samples of surficial lake sediment and of moss polsters from 39 sites in the forest-tundra transitional area immediately east of the Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, were investigated palynologically. Lake sediment samples within the forest and tundra regional vegetation zones are constant in pollen frequencies, but forest–tundra sites are very variable. Forest site spectra are composed of just over 50% arboreal types (spruce, 25–30%; birch, 30%), with 30–40% alder pollen. Tundra spectra have 60–70% non-arboreal types, and 10–15% each of alder and spruce. Forest–tundra values are variable, generally lying between the forest and tundra proportions. Polster samples show as much variability within as between regions, because of local effects. Polster samples indicate local community composition with the regional pollen rain variably masked by the local elements.

scholarly journals Climate and environmental drivers of berry productivity from the forest–tundra ecotone to the high Arctic in Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-544
Author(s):  
Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe ◽  
Greg H.R. Henry ◽  
Esther Lévesque ◽  
Alain Cuerrier ◽  
Sarah Desrosiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Vaccinium Uliginosum ◽  
Forest Tundra ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Circumpolar North ◽  
Northern Edge

Berry shrubs are found across the circumpolar North where they are an important source of food for people and animals. However, the environmental controls on berry productivity in these regions is poorly understood. This study presents the results of an ongoing berry productivity monitoring program for Empetrum nigrum L., Vaccinium uliginosum L., and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. from the forest–tundra ecotone to the high Arctic in Canada. Berry productivity was the highest recorded for these species with up to 119 berries/m2 (E. nigrum) and 661 berries/m2 (V. uliginosum) measured at one plot in Pangnirtung. On average, berry productivity for E. nigrum and V. uliginosum was higher toward the northern edge of the species distribution range. The climate variables important for the productivity of V. uliginosum in high Arctic sites were closely associated with the onset of the growing season and water availability during the growing season, whereas those important in the low Arctic sites reflected conditions during the growing season. None of the climate variables used were associated with the productivity of E. nigrum and V. vitis-idaea, likely due to complex responses and length of the time-series, thus highlighting the importance of continued monitoring in partnership with northern people and institutions.

scholarly journals Canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensisMill.) forests

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis D. Mitsopoulos ◽  
Alexandros P. Dimitrakopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Aleppo Pine ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Fuel Characteristics

Physical Properties of Woody Fuel Particles of Sierra Nevada Conifers

1996 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW Van Wagdendonk ◽  
JM Benedict ◽  
WM Sydoriak
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Quadratic Mean ◽  
Quadratic Mean Diameter ◽  
Fuel Particles

A study of the physical properties of Sierra Nevada conifer fuel particles showed that average diameter, squared quadratic mean diameter, surface-area-to-volume ratio, and specific gravity varied significantly by species for all four timelag fuel diameter size classes. The nonhorizontal angle was not significantly affected by size class, and the developmental stage of the overstory did not affect any of the properties. These values are used to calculate fuel weight and predict fire behavior. Regional variation in physical properties can result in fuel weight estimates for the Sierra Nevada that differ from under 40.8 percent to over 8.3 percent from those calculated from Rocky Mountain values. These differences made small changes in predicted fire behavior.

Patterns of flammability of the California oaks: the role of leaf traits

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1965-1975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eamon A. Engber ◽  
J. Morgan Varner
Keyword(s):  
Plant Traits ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Leaf Margin ◽  
Data Set

Fire is one of the most important processes driving plant community composition and structure. Fire regimes are largely governed by climate, vegetation structure, and individual plant traits that influence flammability. We assessed the mechanistic drivers of flammability for a diverse group of 18 California Quercus and allied Chrysolepis and Notholithocarpus species, addressing variation in leaf physical traits, growth form (tree or shrub), phylogeny (Quercus subgenera), and fire regime (low, mixed, or high severity). Differences in flammability were not strongly driven by leaf habit, leaf margin type, or surface area to volume ratio; simple measures of leaf size accounted for most of the observed variation. Further, leaf size was tightly linked to fuelbed depth, a known driver of fire behavior. Litter from trees was generally more flammable than litter from shrubs, primarily a function of differences in leaf size. A hierarchical clustering analysis on the flammability data set divided the oaks into three clusters of low, intermediate, and high flammability, corresponding closely to high-, mixed-, and low-severity fire regimes, respectively. The link between plant flammability traits and fire regime provides further evidence that individual species affect ecosystem processes.

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