Climatic change and fire regimes

Fire is recognized as the most important disturbance in many forest ecosystems, yet the relationships between fire regimes and climate variations is poorly understood. Knowledge of fire-climate linkages is essential for the development of realistic forest dynamics simulation models, which are to be the major integrative tools for the Sierra Nevada global change research program. Forested ecosystems in the Sierras provide a unique opportunity to reconstruct long-term histories of both forest fires and climatic change. There already existed the longest exactly-dated fire histories ever obtained for any forested ecosystem by dating tree-rings and fire scars on giant sequoias (Sequioadendron giganteum) (Swetnam 1990, 1991). These histories were extended back further in time using more extensive tree-ring surveys and comparisons with longer, but less detailed fire history records derived from charcoal in meadow sediments. These data have substantially enhanced our ability to identify climate-driven changes in fire regimes.

To read about other fire-related research in the Sierra Nevada, follow this link to the Joint Fire Science Program website.

Select either of these projects to find more information: 

• Tree Ring and Fire Scar Studies
• Sedimentary Charcoal Data

Comments to: webmaster@werc.usgs.gov
URL: http://www.werc.usgs.gov/sngc/fire.htm

This page last updated: Thursday, March 22, 2007