Fire-Regulating Services and Disservices With an Application to the Haifa-Carmel Region in Israel

Abstract

In the Mediterranean region, and in other fire-prone areas of the globe, the risk of human and economic losses due to forest fires has increased in the past decades, particularly at the urban-wildland interface. To counter this trend, economic and human resources are generally invested to combat and suppress wildfires, with much less invested to adapt through ecosystem-based management. Ecosystem services for fire regulation are rarely accounted for in the literature and are generally excluded from ecosystem service classifications. This gap causes fire-regulating services to be overlooked in socio-ecological assessments and in economic valuations, potentially further hampering the design and implementation of ecosystem-based approaches. We review the literature on fire risk reduction related to ecosystem management to define and characterize fire-regulating services and disservices. We then suggest indicators for the assessment of these services and disservices, and we propose a conceptual framework linking fire risk, ecosystem services, and ecosystem management practices. In the second part of the paper, we apply these concepts to the historical development of the social-ecological system of the Haifa-Mount Carmel region in Israel, including pre-and post-fire forest management practices. To inform the case study we investigate reports, relevant scientific articles, and policy documents, all corroborated with information from expert lectures on the topic. We conclude by suggesting that human capital should become an integral part of the description and definition of fire-regulating services and disservices, especially for highly modified urban and peri-urban environments.

A framework for sustainable management of ecosystem services and disservices in perennial grassland agroecosystems

“…Donovan et al (2017) reported increased frequency and size of large grassland wildfires in the US Great Plains in the early 21st century compared to late 20th century. Prescribed fire is a common management tool within extensive grasslands and therefore regulates intensity, severity, and fire return intervals in the landscape, helping to reduce largescale, high-intensity fires and associated damage to humans and the environment (Depietri and Orenstein 2019) while enhancing or maintaining v www.esajournals.org several ecosystem services. In contrast, fire may be less critical in cultivated grasslands when biomass removal associated with intensive grazing reduces fuel loads (Ellis et al 2005, McGranahan et al 2012.…”

“…Long-term data from native perennial grasslands across the Great Plains, USA, suggest a fire return interval of ~2.59 yr (Allen and Palmer 2011), and these frequent fires are important in reducing litter and debris, invasive species, and woody encroachment (Depietri and Orenstein 2019). Noss (2012Noss ( , 2018 reports even more frequent fire return intervals of 1-2 yr for southeastern US grasslands in regions of intense lightning activity.…”

“…Florida cattlemen played a significant role in maintaining a culture of prescribed burning dating back to the 1920s, until the vital role of fire was acknowledged by authorities in the 1970s onward. Now it is recognized that frequent fires help maintain or even increase water storage by reducing evapotranspiration (Pausas and Keeley 2019) and long-term carbon storage in the soil by releasing less carbon per fire event as well as facilitating accumulation of charcoal (increasing recalcitrant carbon to the soil) and rapid regrowth of vegetation (Depietri andOrenstein 2019, Pausas andKeeley 2019). In addition, fireadapted plants invest heavily belowground, potentially increasing carbon storage in the soil (Pausas et al 2018) if land managers allow sufficient time for plant regrowth prior to grazing or another fire event.…”

“…A landscape-scale mosaic of recently burned and intensely grazed areas along with longer time since fire areas and non-grazed areas creates a patchwork with higher overall ecosystem values (e.g., increased rangeland biodiversity) than more homogenous extensive prescribed burns (McGranahan et al 2012). Since we have limited information on how cultivated grasslands and their management regulate fire in broader landscapes or impact various ecosystem services, future research should consider this regulating service (see Depietri and Orenstein 2019). Understanding interactions between fire and grassland management strategies is a key aspect of perennial grasslands and delivery of ecosystem services to society.…”

“…Noss (2012Noss ( , 2018 reports even more frequent fire return intervals of 1-2 yr for southeastern US grasslands in regions of intense lightning activity. These frequent fires further reduce the probability of woody incursion and large and intense fires that are costly to physical infrastructure, human health and safety, and the environment (Depietri andOrenstein 2019, Pausas andKeeley 2019). Frequent and low-intensity fires create new open habitat with increased resources and reduced competition, allowing fire-adapted, shade intolerant, and less competitive native plant species to succeed and increase diversity across the landscape (Pausas and Keeley 2019).…”