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Explore the fundamental aspects of fire ecology, focusing on the concept of natural variability in fire regimes. Learn about frequency, return interval, magnitude, seasonality, and how variability influences ecosystem structure and function.
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Introduction to Fire Ecology The Natural Variability Concept
Fire Regime Characteristics • Frequency: the number of fires in a given time. This can be expressed in a number of ways: • Probability: decimal fraction of events/yr • Return Interval: the inverse of probability; years between events • Fire rotation or fire cycle: time needed to disturb an area equal in size to the study area
Fire Regime Characteristics • Extent: area disturbed in a given event or during a given time period • Magnitude: described by either: • Severity: biological effects of the fire (e.g. % trees killed) or • Intensity: physical force or energy released by the fire • Seasonality: season when the fire occurs
Fire Regime Characteristics • Variability can be critical! • The fire regime characteristics include the MEAN frequency, severity, size and season • However, the VARIABILITY in frequency, severity, size and season can also play a key role in shaping ecosystem structure and function
