Multi-scale investigation of factors influencing moisture thresholds for litter bed flammability

Burton, Jamie E.; Penman, Trent D.; Filkov, Alexander I.; Cawson, Jane G.

doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2023.109514

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 67 publications

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“…Climate in this region is temperate, with mean annual rainfall of 800-900 mm and mean monthly temperatures ranging from 7 (July) to 24°C (January/February) (Bennett et al 2013). We used a subset of the sites from an earlier study (Burton et al 2023). Sites were within two forest types -Shrubby Foothill Forest (three sites) and Heathy Dy Forest (three sites) (Department of Environment Land Water and Planning 2016).…”

Section: Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the flammability of living plants at the branch scale: which metrics to use?

Cawson,

Burton,

Pickering

et al. 2023

Int. J. Wildland Fire

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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.

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Section: Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the flammability of living plants at the branch scale: which metrics to use?

Cawson,

Burton,

Pickering

et al. 2023

Int. J. Wildland Fire

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Moisture thresholds for ignition vary between types of eucalypt forests across an aridity gradient

Cawson,

Burton,

Pickering

et al. 2024

Landsc Ecol

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Context Quantifying spatial and temporal variations in landscape flammability is important for implementing ecologically desirable prescribed burns and gauging the level of fire risk across a landscape. Yet there is a paucity of models that provide adequate spatial detail about landscape flammability for these purposes. Objectives Our aim was to quantify spatial and temporal variations in ignitability across a forested landscape. We asked: (1) How do fuel moisture and meteorological variables interact to affect ignitability? (2) Do fuel moisture thresholds for ignition vary across a gradient of forest types? (3) How does the spatial connectivity of ignitable fuel vary over time? (4) How could an ignitability model be used to inform fire management decision-making? Methods We conducted field-based ignition tests with flaming firebrands over three fire seasons. Ignitions were attempted across a range of moisture and meteorological conditions at 15 sites in eucalypt forest in south-eastern Australia. Structural equation modelling and generalized linear models were used to quantify relationships between ignitability, aridity, fuel moisture and weather. Results The strongest predictors of ignitability were the moisture content of dead near surface fine fuel and in-forest vapour pressure deficit. Ignition thresholds for both varied across an aridity gradient. Dense forests (i.e., wet and damp eucalypt forests) needed drier fuel and drier in-forest atmospheric conditions to ignite than sparser forests (i.e., shrubby foothill forest). Conclusion Our modelling of ignitability could inform fire planning in south-eastern Australia and the methodology could be applied elsewhere to develop similar models for other regions. Days with consistently high ignitability across the landscape are more conducive to the development of large wildfires whereas days when ignitability is spatially variable are more suitable for prescribed burning.

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Atmospheric dryness removes barriers to the development of large forest fires

Cawson,

Collins,

Parks

et al. 2024

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

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Multi-scale investigation of factors influencing moisture thresholds for litter bed flammability

Cited by 3 publications

References 67 publications

Quantifying the flammability of living plants at the branch scale: which metrics to use?

Quantifying the flammability of living plants at the branch scale: which metrics to use?

Moisture thresholds for ignition vary between types of eucalypt forests across an aridity gradient

Atmospheric dryness removes barriers to the development of large forest fires

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