Ecosystem Disturbance and Prescribed Burning

Study Notes

Fire is a natural disturbance that shapes ecosystem structure and function
Fire can alter:
- Vegetation composition and density
- Soil chemistry and nutrient cycling
- Wildlife habitats and populations
- Hydrologic processes and water quality
Fire disturbance can have both positive and negative effects on ecosystems, depending on the context and frequency

A management tool used to mimic natural fire regimes
Involves intentionally igniting fires in fire-prone ecosystems to:
- Reduce fuel loads and mitigate risk of catastrophic wildfires
- Promote ecosystem health and resilience
- Maintain or restore fire-dependent ecosystem processes
Prescribed burning can be used to:
- Reduce wildfire risk and protect human communities
- Improve habitat quality and biodiversity
- Enhance ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration, water filtration)

A fire regime refers to the frequency, severity, and seasonality of fires in a given ecosystem
Fire regimes can be:
- Frequent, low-severity fires (e.g., grasslands)
- Infrequent, high-severity fires (e.g., old-growth forests)
- Mixed, with varying frequencies and severities
Fire regimes are influenced by:
- Climate and weather patterns
- Vegetation type and fuel loads
- Topography and land use

Involves a range of strategies and tactics to manage wildfires and fire-prone ecosystems
Goals of wildland fire management include:
- Protecting human life and property
- Maintaining ecosystem health and resilience
- Reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires
Wildland fire management approaches can include:
- Fire suppression and containment
- Prescribed burning and fuel management
- Fire use modules and wildland fire use
- Collaborative planning and stakeholder engagement

Fire is a natural disturbance that affects ecosystem structure and function
Fire alters vegetation composition and density, soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, wildlife habitats and populations, and hydrologic processes and water quality
Fire disturbance has both positive and negative effects on ecosystems, depending on context and frequency

A management tool that mimics natural fire regimes
Intentional ignition of fires in fire-prone ecosystems to reduce fuel loads, promote ecosystem health, and maintain fire-dependent processes
Prescribed burning reduces wildfire risk and protects human communities, improves habitat quality and biodiversity, and enhances ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and water filtration

Fire regime refers to the frequency, severity, and seasonality of fires in an ecosystem
Fire regimes can be frequent and low-severity (e.g., grasslands), infrequent and high-severity (e.g., old-growth forests), or mixed
Climate, vegetation, and topography influence fire regimes

Manages wildfires and fire-prone ecosystems using various strategies and tactics
Goals include protecting human life and property, maintaining ecosystem health, and reducing catastrophic wildfire risk
Approaches include fire suppression, prescribed burning, fire use modules, and collaborative planning