Tree species flammability based on plant traits: A synthesis

Popović, Zorica; Bojović, Srdjan; Marković, Milena; Cerdà, Artemi

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149625

Cited by 56 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 120 publications

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“…The accuracy of the model predictions is then tested with two independent datasets not used in the model building process, in order to give an indication of the predictive value of the models when applied to new data. Our predictive modelling fits within the context of recent suggestions by [34] that more research is needed to investigate leaf flammability in standardized laboratory conditions to improve the integration of plant flammability parameters in full-scale fire simulations and wildfire modelling.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 73%

A Predictive Model of Leaf Flammability Using Leaf Traits and Radiant Heat Flux for Plants of Fire-Prone Dry Sclerophyll Forest

Krix

Murray

2022

Forests

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The differential flammability of individual plant species in landscape-scale fire behaviour is an important consideration, but one that is often overlooked. This is in part due to a relative dearth in the availability of plant flammability data. Here, we present a highly accurate predictive model of the likelihood of plant leaves entering flaming combustion as a function of leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf area (LA) and radiant heat flux using species of fire-prone dry sclerophyll forests of south-eastern Australia. We validated the performance of the model on two separate datasets, and on plant species not included in the model building process. Our model gives accurate predictions (75–84%) of leaf flaming with potential application in the next generation of fire behaviour models. Given the global wealth of species’ data for LMA and LA, in stark contrast to leaf flammability data, our model has the potential to improve understanding of forest flammability in the absence of leaf flammability information.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 73%

A Predictive Model of Leaf Flammability Using Leaf Traits and Radiant Heat Flux for Plants of Fire-Prone Dry Sclerophyll Forest

Krix

Murray

2022

Forests

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“…Furthermore, results show that A. melanoxylon, where this species is reported to be extremely flammable, and together with an ignition source of low heat flux, can ignite faster and favor the spread of crown fires. Moreover, the flammability parameters (IT, FD, and BT) of the species under study contribute to new scientific knowledge in the area of forest fires, as according to the research by Popović et al [58], based on a synthesis of the flammability of tree species based on plant characteristics, there is little experimental evidence associated with the exotic species studied using the epiradiator technique and burning of fresh leaves. Table 1, presented in [58], shows the analyzed species, plant characteristics associated with flammability, and relevant scientific articles, highlighting that the species A. melanoxylon and A. dealbata are not on this list.…”

Section: Variation In the Flammability Of Exotic Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the flammability parameters (IT, FD, and BT) of the species under study contribute to new scientific knowledge in the area of forest fires, as according to the research by Popović et al [58], based on a synthesis of the flammability of tree species based on plant characteristics, there is little experimental evidence associated with the exotic species studied using the epiradiator technique and burning of fresh leaves. Table 1, presented in [58], shows the analyzed species, plant characteristics associated with flammability, and relevant scientific articles, highlighting that the species A. melanoxylon and A. dealbata are not on this list. Furthermore, we found studies regarding E. globulus [59][60][61] that were focused on litter flammability, and on P. radiata, where studies [57,[62][63][64][65] were focused on relating flammability to the chemistry and moisture content of the foliage.…”

Section: Variation In the Flammability Of Exotic Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drivers of Flammability of Eucalyptus globulus Labill Leaves: Terpenes, Essential Oils, and Moisture Content

Guerrero

Carmona

Hernández

et al. 2022

Forests

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Mediterranean climate regions have become more vulnerable to fire due to the extreme weather conditions and numerous Eucalyptus globulus plantation areas. The aim of this study is to analyze the fire hazard related to E. globulus in a forest fire scenario, based on the contrast of thermochemical parameters and their relationship with chemical properties, considering the predominant exotic forest species (E. globulus, Pinus radiata, Acacia dealbata, and Acacia melanoxylon) present in the Valparaiso region, Chile. The results revealed that although all of the studied species were highly flammable, E. globulus was extremely flammable, as its leaves contain high concentrations of essential oils, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, which can generate a flammable atmosphere due to their low flashpoint and the strong negative influence shown between the essential oils, volatile terpenes, and limonene concentration. Moreover, the heat of combustion of E. globulus was positively correlated with its high essential oil contents. Finally, all of the studied species had low flashpoints and high heating values; therefore, they are predisposed to ignite in the presence of a heat source, releasing high amounts of energy during combustion, which contributes to the risk of the formation and spread of canopy fires among these tree formations.

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“…Senesced leaves, or ‘litter’, often represent a substantial portion of the surface fuel layer and is one of the major drivers of fire behaviour in many woodland and forest ecosystems. Litter flammability varies widely among species reflecting particle and fuelbed trait differences (Burton et al, 2020; Popović et al, 2021; Varner, Kane, Kreye, & Engber, 2015). Physical traits such as long leaves and large surface area‐to‐volume ratios tend to result in more flammable litter (Engber & Varner, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of local adaptation in litter flammability of a widespread fire‐adaptive pine

et al. 2022

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Fire is a strong ecological and evolutionary driver of plant species and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics. Numerous studies have shown that plant species vary widely in their flammability and associated traits that coincide with clear strategies of persistence in fire‐prone ecosystems. Yet, intraspecific variation and phenotypic plasticity in plant flammability has received substantially less attention. Some evidence has demonstrated high plasticity in flammability among populations in species adapted to low‐frequency, high severity fire regimes which suggests the capacity of local adaptation; however, intraspecific variability of species in high‐frequency, low severity fire regimes has not been conducted. Given that frequent fire‐adaptive species tend to produce fast‐flammable litter that is associated with survival following fire, we hypothesized that these species would have highly conserved leaf traits with low variation in litter flammability. We used an existing common garden study to test our hypothesis in Pinus rigida (pitch pine) with source populations that span most of its distribution in eastern North America. We examined both phenotypic and genotypic variation as well as phenotypic plasticity (relative distance plasticity index) in P. rigida leaf traits and litter flammability among populations grown in situ (population) and the same populations grown in a common garden or provenance study (provenance). Phenotypic and genotypic variation in fuel traits and litter flammability differed among source locations. Phenotypic plasticity in litter flammability among source locations were associated with fuel trait plasticity and biogeographic factors. Populations located in warmer and drier climates with presumably more frequent historical fire regimes were associated with greater plasticity in physical litter traits and their resulting flammability. Synthesis. Our study demonstrates the utility of common garden experiments to examine intraspecific variation and phenotypic plasticity in litter flammability. Our results indicate that litter flammability in Pinus rigida has the capacity for local adaptation. We hypothesize that intraspecific variation in plant flammability provides ecologically and evolutionary relevant information and that other frequent fire‐adaptive species will similarly demonstrate local adaptation in plant flammability.

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Tree species flammability based on plant traits: A synthesis

Cited by 56 publications

References 120 publications

A Predictive Model of Leaf Flammability Using Leaf Traits and Radiant Heat Flux for Plants of Fire-Prone Dry Sclerophyll Forest

A Predictive Model of Leaf Flammability Using Leaf Traits and Radiant Heat Flux for Plants of Fire-Prone Dry Sclerophyll Forest

Drivers of Flammability of Eucalyptus globulus Labill Leaves: Terpenes, Essential Oils, and Moisture Content

Evidence of local adaptation in litter flammability of a widespread fire‐adaptive pine

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