The future of fire management in the British uplands

Davies, Matt G.; Gray, Alan; Hamilton, Amy; Legg, Colin J.

doi:10.3843/biodiv.4.3:

Cited by 14 publications

(32 citation statements)

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“…Owing to the now widely accepted significance of these ecosystems, a number of studies have been undertaken to ascertain how these various processes will shape the future of British peatlands (e.g. Barkham 1993, Bragg & Tallis 2001, Davies et al 2008, Bonn et al 2009, Reed et al 2009). The present study contributes to continuing investigations into the fate of British peatland ecosystems by applying a simple but globally applicable and process-based bioclimatic envelope model using present and projected future climates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioclimatic envelope model of climate change impacts on blanket peatland distribution in Great Britain

Gallego‐Sala¹,

Clark²,

House³

et al. 2010

Clim. Res.

112

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Blanket peatlands are rain-fed mires that cover the landscape almost regardless of topography. The geographical extent of this type of peatland is highly sensitive to climate. We applied a global process-based bioclimatic envelope model, PeatStash, to predict the distribution of British blanket peatlands. The model captures the present areal extent (Kappa = 0.77) and is highly sensitive to both temperature and precipitation changes. When the model is run using the UKCIP02 climate projections for the time periods 2011-2040, 2041-2070 and 2071-2100, the geographical distribution of blanket peatlands gradually retreats towards the north and the west. In the UKCIP02 high emissions scenario for 2071-2100, the blanket peatland bioclimatic space is ~84% smaller than contemporary conditions ; only parts of the west of Scotland remain inside this space. Increasing summer temperature is the main driver of the projected changes in areal extent. Simulations using 7 climate model outputs resulted in generally similar patterns of declining aereal extent of the bioclimatic space, although differing in degree. The results presented in this study should be viewed as a first step towards understanding the trends likely to affect the blanket peatland distribution in Great Britain. The eventual fate of existing blanket peatlands left outside their bioclimatic space remains uncertain.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioclimatic envelope model of climate change impacts on blanket peatland distribution in Great Britain

Gallego‐Sala¹,

Clark²,

House³

et al. 2010

Clim. Res.

112

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“…La sua regolamentazione attraverso prescrizioni e piani gestionali è stata attuata in molte realtà pastorali simili a quelle italiane. Risultati interessanti si sono ottenuti in Spagna (Vélez 2010), Regno Unito (Davies et al 2008) e Francia (Lambert 2010), dove la pianificazione integrata di fuoco prescritto e pascolo ha avuto ricadute positive non solo per la manutenzione dei viali tagliafuoco (Rigolot 2003), ma anche per la conservazione di habitat (Pons et al 2003) e paesaggi culturali (Métailié 2006). I dati sperimentali raccolti nell'ambito delle esperienze regionali possono essere utili per migliorare questa pratica anche in Italia.…”

Section: Discussioneunclassified

Prescribed burning experiences in Italy: an integrated approach to prevent forest fires

Ascoli¹,

Catalanotti²,

Valese³

et al. 2012

Forest@

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Prescribed burning experiences in Italy: an integrated approach to prevent forest fires.Prescribed burning is used in many geographical areas for multiple and integrated objectives (wildfire prevention, habitat conservation, grazing management). In Europe the collaboration between researchers and fire professionals has brought to implement this technique over increasing areas (~10 4 ha year -1 ), effectively and efficiently. In Italy prescribed burning has not been much studied and it is rarely applied. A new interest is recently rising. Some Regions particularly threatened by wildfires have updated their legislation and set up procedures to authorize prescribed fire experiments and interventions. From 2004 to 2011 several scientific, operative and training experiences have been carried out at a regional level (Basilicata, Campania, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piemonte, Sardegna, Toscana). The present paper aims to: (i) document and compare these regional programs; (ii) discuss their frameworks and limitations; (iii) provide information about objectives, prescriptions, methods and results. The study has involved Universities, Forest Corps, Civil Protection, Municipalities, Parks and professionals from Italy and other Countries. Interventions have regarded integrated objectives (fire hazard reduction; habitat conservation; forest and grazing management), and involved several vegetation types (broadleaved and conifer forests; Mediterranean and Continental shrublands; grasslands). Studies on fire behaviour and ecology have helped to set prescriptions for specific objectives and environments. Results have been transferred to professionals through training sessions. Several common elements are outlined: integrated objectives, multidisciplinary character, training and research products. Ecological questions, certification to the use of fire, communication to local communities and the proposal of new studies, are some of the issues outlined in the discussion. The present study is the first review at national level and we hope it will help to deepen the meaning and limitations of a technique which is an effective tool to prevent wildfires when integrated in the forest and land planning process.

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“…It is thought, particularly in the UK, that the intensity, severity and extent of burning have increased in some places in recent decades (Davies et al, 2008;Yallop et al, 2006). This, in turn, will have had adverse effects on blanket peatland condition and development.…”

Section: Internal Pressuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wildfire: Although unplanned fires do not occur as often as prescribed burning, they can cover very large areas and in some cases are more intense and severe (Davies et al, 2008). Wildfires can result in peat ignition and the exposure of large areas to erosion (Albertson et al, 2010).…”

Section: Internal Pressuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prescribed burning: Prescribed rotational patch burning of heather is used as an ecological management tool to produce heather stands of different ages, which increase habitat structural diversity that support populations of game birds, such as grouse (Lagapus lagapus L.) (Davies et al, 2008) and to provide fresh bite for grazing stock (Mercer, 2009). It is thought, particularly in the UK, that the intensity, severity and extent of burning have increased in some places in recent decades (Davies et al, 2008;Yallop et al, 2006).…”

Section: Internal Pressuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Restoration of blanket peatlands

Parry

Holden

Chapman

2014

Journal of Environmental Management

113

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Abstract:There is concern that ecosystem services provided by blanket peatlands have come under threat due to increasing degradation. Blanket peatlands are subject to a wide range of drivers of degradation and are topographically variable. As a result, many degradation forms can develop, including those resulting from eroding artificial drainage, incising gullies and areas of bare peat. Many degraded blanket peatlands have undergone restoration measures since the turn of the century. However, there has been little formal communication of the techniques used and their success. Using practitioner knowledge and a review of the available literature, this paper discusses the methodologies used for restoring sloping blanket peatlands. It then considers current understanding of the impact of restoration on blanket peatland ecosystem services. There is a paucity of research investigating impacts of several common restoration techniques and much more is needed if informed management decisions are to be made and funding is to be appropriately spent. Where data are available we find that restoration is largely beneficial to many ecosystem services, with improvements being observed in water quality and ecology. However, the same restoration technique does not always result in the same outcomes in all locations. The difference in response is predominantly due to the spatial and temporal heterogeneity inherent in all blanket peatlands. Peatland practitioners must take this variability into account when designing restoration strategies and monitoring impact.

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The future of fire management in the British uplands

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Bioclimatic envelope model of climate change impacts on blanket peatland distribution in Great Britain

Bioclimatic envelope model of climate change impacts on blanket peatland distribution in Great Britain

Prescribed burning experiences in Italy: an integrated approach to prevent forest fires

Restoration of blanket peatlands

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