The study examined the effects of two large wildfires on the population size of the endangered Corsican nuthatch bird in Corsica. Field studies before and after the fires in 2000 and 2003 showed sharp declines in the number of nuthatch territories of 37.5-50% immediately after the fires. Habitat characteristics like the minimum length of burned pine crown predicted nuthatch absence, with presence most likely when at least one pine had less than 2.5m of crown burned. The declines were likely due to simultaneous loss of shelter, nest sites and food from the fires. The habitat remained unfavorable for several years after the fires as the forest regenerated.
This document summarizes research on the effects of fire on fauna habitat. It finds that:
1) Logs and bark are important habitat for many species but are consumed by fire, reducing their quality and time to recover.
2) Invertebrate numbers were over double under unburnt logs and bark compared to burnt.
3) Burning removes shrub layers and litter instantly, and the amount of logs, hollows, and fuel takes 50+ years to recover to pre-fire levels.
This presentation by Dr Brad Murray of the University of Technology Sydney shows how a triple threat from gully plant flammability, climate change and exotic plant invasion could lead to catastrophic losses of gully habitat in the Sydney Region and highlights that reliance on gully habitat as refugia for native fauna may not be a robust strategy for the future.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2017 Bushfire Conference - Fire, Fauna & Ferals: from backyards to bush.
This document summarizes a study quantifying the flammability of rainforests compared to Eucalyptus forests. The study examined fuel characteristics, microclimate conditions, and fire behavior in different forest types. Key findings include: 1) Rainforests have less fuel mass and burn more slowly than Eucalyptus forests. 2) Rainforest fuel moisture is less sensitive to diurnal changes than Eucalyptus forests. 3) Wildfire seasons in the region are starting earlier than 50 years ago, and climate change may increase rainforest fire risk by affecting fuel accumulation. The study provides improved understanding of rainforest fire behavior to inform predictive modeling and risk planning.
1. This document summarizes research on the decline of the endangered Eastern Bristlebird population in northern New South Wales from 156 birds across 14 populations in 1989 to 38 birds across 4 populations in 2017.
2. By mapping and comparing habitat in 1966 and 2009, the study found widespread loss (53%) of primary and secondary Eastern Bristlebird habitat due to reduced fire frequency, clearing, weed invasion, and shrub encroachment.
3. The recommendations are to use improved habitat mapping for targeted fire management, with more frequent controlled burning (every 3-6 years) needed in mapped Eastern Bristlebird habitat areas to maintain the necessary grassy understory.
This presentation by Mick Wilson of Forestry Corporation NSW discusses case studies of burns and the experiences of fire management in Forestry lands presented, highlighting the challenges of resuscitating a fuel management programme within a complex regulatory framework.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2015 Bushfire Conference - Fire and Restoration: working with fire for healthy land
This presentation by Dr John Hunter of the University of New England discusses why the re-introduction of regular fire on north coast grassy headlands would be an inappropriate management strategy and could possibly cause loss of threatened species, reduction in richness and diversity and homogenisation of the system.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2017 Bushfire Conference - Fire, Fauna & Ferals: from backyards to bush.
The document provides guidance on writing effective scientific abstracts. It explains that abstracts must summarize the key elements of a paper in a short, concise manner to entice readers to read the full work. Specifically, it recommends that abstracts include: (1) motivation/why the work is important, (2) a clear problem statement, (3) methods used, (4) key results, and (5) conclusions/implications. It also emphasizes the need to choose impactful words, simplify explanations, and consider an abstract as a marketing strategy to attract readers.
Spatial modeling the impact of livestock grazing, fire management and wood cu...ILRI
This document discusses a post-doc research project on modeling the impact of livestock grazing, fire management, and wood cutting on savanna woodland vegetation structure. The objectives are to 1) examine sapling population dynamics over 10 years in response to early fire, grazing, and tree cutting, 2) examine long-term seedling recruitment 5 and 10 years after treatments, and 3) identify seed germination requirements and seedling traits of savanna species. Many studies have been conducted on the influences of these disturbances on woody and herbaceous production/regeneration and soil characteristics. The complexity of the system with its two vegetation strata, high species diversity, spatial heterogeneity, and variability requires long-term studies and spatially
This document summarizes research on the effects of fire on fauna habitat. It finds that:
1) Logs and bark are important habitat for many species but are consumed by fire, reducing their quality and time to recover.
2) Invertebrate numbers were over double under unburnt logs and bark compared to burnt.
3) Burning removes shrub layers and litter instantly, and the amount of logs, hollows, and fuel takes 50+ years to recover to pre-fire levels.
This presentation by Dr Brad Murray of the University of Technology Sydney shows how a triple threat from gully plant flammability, climate change and exotic plant invasion could lead to catastrophic losses of gully habitat in the Sydney Region and highlights that reliance on gully habitat as refugia for native fauna may not be a robust strategy for the future.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2017 Bushfire Conference - Fire, Fauna & Ferals: from backyards to bush.
This document summarizes a study quantifying the flammability of rainforests compared to Eucalyptus forests. The study examined fuel characteristics, microclimate conditions, and fire behavior in different forest types. Key findings include: 1) Rainforests have less fuel mass and burn more slowly than Eucalyptus forests. 2) Rainforest fuel moisture is less sensitive to diurnal changes than Eucalyptus forests. 3) Wildfire seasons in the region are starting earlier than 50 years ago, and climate change may increase rainforest fire risk by affecting fuel accumulation. The study provides improved understanding of rainforest fire behavior to inform predictive modeling and risk planning.
1. This document summarizes research on the decline of the endangered Eastern Bristlebird population in northern New South Wales from 156 birds across 14 populations in 1989 to 38 birds across 4 populations in 2017.
2. By mapping and comparing habitat in 1966 and 2009, the study found widespread loss (53%) of primary and secondary Eastern Bristlebird habitat due to reduced fire frequency, clearing, weed invasion, and shrub encroachment.
3. The recommendations are to use improved habitat mapping for targeted fire management, with more frequent controlled burning (every 3-6 years) needed in mapped Eastern Bristlebird habitat areas to maintain the necessary grassy understory.
This presentation by Mick Wilson of Forestry Corporation NSW discusses case studies of burns and the experiences of fire management in Forestry lands presented, highlighting the challenges of resuscitating a fuel management programme within a complex regulatory framework.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2015 Bushfire Conference - Fire and Restoration: working with fire for healthy land
This presentation by Dr John Hunter of the University of New England discusses why the re-introduction of regular fire on north coast grassy headlands would be an inappropriate management strategy and could possibly cause loss of threatened species, reduction in richness and diversity and homogenisation of the system.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2017 Bushfire Conference - Fire, Fauna & Ferals: from backyards to bush.
The document provides guidance on writing effective scientific abstracts. It explains that abstracts must summarize the key elements of a paper in a short, concise manner to entice readers to read the full work. Specifically, it recommends that abstracts include: (1) motivation/why the work is important, (2) a clear problem statement, (3) methods used, (4) key results, and (5) conclusions/implications. It also emphasizes the need to choose impactful words, simplify explanations, and consider an abstract as a marketing strategy to attract readers.
Spatial modeling the impact of livestock grazing, fire management and wood cu...ILRI
This document discusses a post-doc research project on modeling the impact of livestock grazing, fire management, and wood cutting on savanna woodland vegetation structure. The objectives are to 1) examine sapling population dynamics over 10 years in response to early fire, grazing, and tree cutting, 2) examine long-term seedling recruitment 5 and 10 years after treatments, and 3) identify seed germination requirements and seedling traits of savanna species. Many studies have been conducted on the influences of these disturbances on woody and herbaceous production/regeneration and soil characteristics. The complexity of the system with its two vegetation strata, high species diversity, spatial heterogeneity, and variability requires long-term studies and spatially
Impacts of fires on the woody stratum of Mbam and Djerem National Park (Camer...AI Publications
In Cameroon, the recurrent and uncontrolled use of bush fires, causing damage to the ecosystem, and constitutes a worrying situation for protected area managers. . The Mbam et Djerem National Park (PNMD) is threatened by bush fires and particularly by uncontrolled late fires which compromise all of its biodiversity and the future of the park. Faced with this increasingly high occurrence of fires and the insufficiency of basic data, it becomes urgent to assess the impacts of fire on the woody and grassy stratum according to the fire regime and at the end of proposing fire management strategies at PNMD level. To do this, experimental plots were installed, the impacts of fire on vegetation according to fire regimes were assessed. The results reveal that: 74% of the trees examined are barked by fire and the proportion of these barked trees varies according to the species of tree, which constitutes entry points for termites and bees in the trees. Adults are significantly more skinned (70%) than young people (30%) (variance = 32.447 df = 1, χ2 = 103.014, p = 0.004). The intensity of the fire is significantly different from one fire regime to another (p = 0.0154). The rate of regrowth is different between treatments (ANOVA, p = 0.005). High (apparent) mortality is observed for class 2 individuals (35%), i.e. juveniles suffering from late fires. Remote sensing therefore appears to be a more valuable tool for monitoring and analyzing space and time for strategic and operational planning and for early warning in the management of bush fires.
Diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens in relation to different forest types in the Knuckles Mountain range - Sri Lanka.
Gothamie Weerakoon* 1 ,
S. Somaratne 2 &
S.C. Wijeyaratne 1
1 Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka,
2 Department of Botany, The Open University, Sri Lanka.
Presented at International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2009 at Department of Forestry and Environment Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka from 18 – 19 December 2009 (Session 7 – Ecology)
This document discusses a study that examined bark beetle infestation and dwarf mistletoe presence in three adjacent ponderosa pine stands with different management histories in northern Arizona. The stands included an old-growth remnant stand, a seed-tree cut stand, and a dense untreated second growth stand. The key findings were:
1) The old-growth remnant stand and seed-tree cut stand had similar levels of bark beetle colonization that were significantly higher than the dense untreated stand.
2) Across all sites, bark beetles were most commonly found attacking trees with diameters of 51-60cm.
3) There was a trend between the proportion of trees infected with dwarf mistleto
Monitoring Seasonal and Secondary Succession Processes in Deciduous ForestsCassidy Rankine
This document summarizes Cassidy Rankine's doctoral research on monitoring seasonal and secondary succession processes in deciduous forests using remote sensing and wireless sensor networks. The research had three parts: 1) Using a wireless sensor network to study how canopy phenology and weather affect network performance, finding strongest signals during peak growing season. 2) Examining seasonal changes and climate moderation in secondary tropical dry forests in Brazil, finding older forests better buffered heat and moisture extremes. 3) Comparing MODIS satellite data to phenology tower data across forest ages, finding MODIS subject to errors for phenology monitoring in tropical dry forests.
Factors to Consider When Planning a Prescribed Burn for WildlifeClaude Jenkins
The document discusses factors to consider when planning prescribed burns for wildlife habitat management. It states that prescribed burns should be based on landowner goals, site conditions, and wildlife requirements rather than general rules of thumb. It identifies scale, season, and frequency of burns as important considerations that depend on the target wildlife species and environmental conditions. The document emphasizes that prescribed burn plans need flexibility to adapt based on whether the desired habitat outcomes are being achieved.
1) This study examined the effects of a 2007 wildfire on ant assemblages in Abies forests in Mt. Parnitha, Greece.
2) Three habitat types were identified - unburned forest, burned forest, and an unburned patch surrounded by burned forest.
3) The results showed differences in ant species and genera composition between the habitat types. The unburned patch resembled the burned habitat more than the unburned forest.
Fire Intensity Effects on Coastal Redwood RegenerationAxël Eaton
This study examined the relationship between fire severity and basal sprouting in coastal redwood trees in Big Creek Reserve, California. The researchers measured 112 redwood trees and classified burn severity. They found coastal redwoods produced more basal sprouts with increasing burn severity, as measured by char height and the presence of goosepens. Even after accounting for tree size, higher burn severity was correlated with greater sprouting. This response may be due to increased light availability or redirection of nutrients after severe burning. The findings suggest forest management could use controlled burning to reduce fuels while stimulating redwood regeneration to conserve the species in the face of climate change.
This study assessed the "big tree effect" in Kruger National Park savanna, where large trees facilitate understory growth. Researchers collected data on woody plant biomass and diversity near marula trees that were previously burned at high vs. low intensity. They found greater biomass and diversity near trees burned at low intensity compared to high intensity. Light detecting and ranging (LIDAR) effectively identified trees over 10 meters tall with only one missed identification. Maintaining lower burn intensities can help preserve both large trees and understory plant communities.
This document discusses fire ecology and the role of fire in various ecosystems. It notes that globally over 5,000 Tg of biomass is consumed annually by natural fires, emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases. It explores how certain plant communities like Mediterranean shrublands and African savannas have evolved with and depend on fire. In India, most fires are human-caused and burn over 3.7 million hectares annually. The document then examines the effects of fire on air, soil, plants, and vegetation characteristics. It looks at how fire impacts nutrients, organic matter, soil biota and properties like pH. Finally, it discusses plant adaptations to fire and the use of fire as a management tool.
Vegetation development dynamics of fire experimental plots at olokemeji fores...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study on the effects of different fire treatments on three experimental plots in Olokemeji Forest Reserve in Nigeria over 70 years. Plot A was burned annually late in the dry season, Plot B was burned early in the dry season, and Plot C was unburned as a control. Plot A developed into a savanna woodland with few tree species, while Plot B became a transitional woodland. Plot C developed into a closed-canopy forest with the highest tree diversity and soil litter. The timing and frequency of fires significantly impacted the long-term vegetation development in each plot.
This document discusses upland hardwood forest management. It describes the tree species that occur on xeric (dry) and mesic (moist) upland sites. It notes that oak regeneration is particularly challenging on mesic sites due to competition from faster growing species like yellow poplar and black cherry. Several cutting systems are discussed for regenerating oak, including clearcutting, shelterwood, and group selection. The disadvantages and appropriate sites for each system are provided. The document also briefly outlines the stand initiation and stem exclusion stages of forest stand development.
Nest-building and wood consumption dynamics : the underground architecture of...Dr. Berville
Animals can create controlled microhabitats using self-made structures. The most impressive are the nests of social insects (i.e., ants, bees, wasps, and termites). It is however difficult to study subterranean termite nests without using invasive techniques because the nests are built within pieces of wood and/or in the soil. Using computerized tomography scans and medical imaging software (OsiriX), we were able to observe nest creation, construction, and architecture over a several-month period in two Reticulitermes species: R. grassei, native to Europe, and R. flavipes, an invasive introduced from North America. Although the two species displayed some similarities (i.e., in nest creation, chamber size, and levels of wood consumption), only R. flavipes built interior structures with sand. Some of these structures changed over time and thus might play a role in the trade-off between wood consumption, colony protection, and environmental homeostasis.
An Approach For Identifying The Forest Fire Using Land Surface Imagery By Loc...IOSR Journals
This document presents a new approach for identifying forest fires using land surface temperature satellite imagery. It involves segmenting the imagery into clusters using k-means clustering to locate regions of abnormal temperature distribution. The mean wavelength value is then computed for regions of interest using Haar wavelets. Experimental results on 312 images found that a mean wavelength exceeding 10.14 accurately identified forest fire locations according to historical records, with an average accuracy of 89.5%. This approach provides an improved method for early forest fire detection compared to existing techniques.
This document summarizes a study that analyzed over 2000 samples from 200 homes exposed to 10 different wildfires across 5 states. The goal was to assess wildfire smoke exposure in homes. Particles from wildfires were found to be present in homes months after the fires, and have distinguishing characteristics like charred plant matter, ash, soot, oxidized soil, and fire retardant. Tapelifts were taken from horizontal surfaces in homes and analyzed under a microscope to identify and quantify wildfire particle assemblages. The analysis found thermally modified plant phytoliths, char, and ash that matched the local wildfire fuels and provided evidence of smoke exposure from specific fires even long after they occurred.
Termite (isoptera) assemblages in rufiji district tanzaniaAlexander Decker
This document summarizes a study on termite assemblages under different land uses in Rufiji District, Tanzania. The study investigated termite abundance, feeding groups, and species richness in cropland, grassland, and forest areas. Standardized transect sampling was used to collect termites from the different habitats. Termites were identified based on feeding preferences and allocated to feeding groups. Statistical analysis found no significant differences in feeding group distributions across habitats, though human activities were found to influence termite variations to some degree. The results provide baseline data on termite feeding groups that can inform future research in the district.
This study investigated the effects of slope position, gap size, and competition on the survival and growth of American chestnut hybrids and tulip poplar seedlings planted in experimental plots in Virginia over seven years. Chestnut saplings grew best in large gaps with mesic soil but only significantly differed from growth in large gaps with xeric soil. Chestnut survival was higher in plots on upper slopes due to lower rodent predation on lower slopes. Both chestnut and tulip poplar grew best and survived best in small gaps with xeric soil where competition was lowest.
Abstract— Pinus halepensis Mill., is a most common tree in the Mediterranean basin. In Tunisia, specifically Kroumirie, it is an excellence species. However, for several years, we assist a continual deterioration of this ecosystem type. Several factors are the origin for this degradation: insects and fungi attack, fire, aging populations, low regeneration and hardening climate. This degradation is further accentuated by installing careers around the pine forest. Our objective in this study was to identify the career dust influence on growth and productivity of Aleppo pine; through dendrochronological approach (tree rings study) and dendrometric approach (measurement of diameter, height and survival rate). Study is accomplished on two populations: a reference site ‘Charchara’ located away from mining and Oued el maaden site near a gravel extraction career. In addition, physical and chemical parameters are analysed on soil and water samples collected in the two sites. Results showed significant differences of parameters studied between stations both in dendrometric and dendrochronological parameters over time. Second, in physical and chemical parameters, a very high content on metals traces was found on soil and water in Oued el maaden site.
Impacts of fires on the woody stratum of Mbam and Djerem National Park (Camer...AI Publications
In Cameroon, the recurrent and uncontrolled use of bush fires, causing damage to the ecosystem, and constitutes a worrying situation for protected area managers. . The Mbam et Djerem National Park (PNMD) is threatened by bush fires and particularly by uncontrolled late fires which compromise all of its biodiversity and the future of the park. Faced with this increasingly high occurrence of fires and the insufficiency of basic data, it becomes urgent to assess the impacts of fire on the woody and grassy stratum according to the fire regime and at the end of proposing fire management strategies at PNMD level. To do this, experimental plots were installed, the impacts of fire on vegetation according to fire regimes were assessed. The results reveal that: 74% of the trees examined are barked by fire and the proportion of these barked trees varies according to the species of tree, which constitutes entry points for termites and bees in the trees. Adults are significantly more skinned (70%) than young people (30%) (variance = 32.447 df = 1, χ2 = 103.014, p = 0.004). The intensity of the fire is significantly different from one fire regime to another (p = 0.0154). The rate of regrowth is different between treatments (ANOVA, p = 0.005). High (apparent) mortality is observed for class 2 individuals (35%), i.e. juveniles suffering from late fires. Remote sensing therefore appears to be a more valuable tool for monitoring and analyzing space and time for strategic and operational planning and for early warning in the management of bush fires.
Diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens in relation to different forest types in the Knuckles Mountain range - Sri Lanka.
Gothamie Weerakoon* 1 ,
S. Somaratne 2 &
S.C. Wijeyaratne 1
1 Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka,
2 Department of Botany, The Open University, Sri Lanka.
Presented at International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2009 at Department of Forestry and Environment Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka from 18 – 19 December 2009 (Session 7 – Ecology)
This document discusses a study that examined bark beetle infestation and dwarf mistletoe presence in three adjacent ponderosa pine stands with different management histories in northern Arizona. The stands included an old-growth remnant stand, a seed-tree cut stand, and a dense untreated second growth stand. The key findings were:
1) The old-growth remnant stand and seed-tree cut stand had similar levels of bark beetle colonization that were significantly higher than the dense untreated stand.
2) Across all sites, bark beetles were most commonly found attacking trees with diameters of 51-60cm.
3) There was a trend between the proportion of trees infected with dwarf mistleto
Monitoring Seasonal and Secondary Succession Processes in Deciduous ForestsCassidy Rankine
This document summarizes Cassidy Rankine's doctoral research on monitoring seasonal and secondary succession processes in deciduous forests using remote sensing and wireless sensor networks. The research had three parts: 1) Using a wireless sensor network to study how canopy phenology and weather affect network performance, finding strongest signals during peak growing season. 2) Examining seasonal changes and climate moderation in secondary tropical dry forests in Brazil, finding older forests better buffered heat and moisture extremes. 3) Comparing MODIS satellite data to phenology tower data across forest ages, finding MODIS subject to errors for phenology monitoring in tropical dry forests.
Factors to Consider When Planning a Prescribed Burn for WildlifeClaude Jenkins
The document discusses factors to consider when planning prescribed burns for wildlife habitat management. It states that prescribed burns should be based on landowner goals, site conditions, and wildlife requirements rather than general rules of thumb. It identifies scale, season, and frequency of burns as important considerations that depend on the target wildlife species and environmental conditions. The document emphasizes that prescribed burn plans need flexibility to adapt based on whether the desired habitat outcomes are being achieved.
1) This study examined the effects of a 2007 wildfire on ant assemblages in Abies forests in Mt. Parnitha, Greece.
2) Three habitat types were identified - unburned forest, burned forest, and an unburned patch surrounded by burned forest.
3) The results showed differences in ant species and genera composition between the habitat types. The unburned patch resembled the burned habitat more than the unburned forest.
Fire Intensity Effects on Coastal Redwood RegenerationAxël Eaton
This study examined the relationship between fire severity and basal sprouting in coastal redwood trees in Big Creek Reserve, California. The researchers measured 112 redwood trees and classified burn severity. They found coastal redwoods produced more basal sprouts with increasing burn severity, as measured by char height and the presence of goosepens. Even after accounting for tree size, higher burn severity was correlated with greater sprouting. This response may be due to increased light availability or redirection of nutrients after severe burning. The findings suggest forest management could use controlled burning to reduce fuels while stimulating redwood regeneration to conserve the species in the face of climate change.
This study assessed the "big tree effect" in Kruger National Park savanna, where large trees facilitate understory growth. Researchers collected data on woody plant biomass and diversity near marula trees that were previously burned at high vs. low intensity. They found greater biomass and diversity near trees burned at low intensity compared to high intensity. Light detecting and ranging (LIDAR) effectively identified trees over 10 meters tall with only one missed identification. Maintaining lower burn intensities can help preserve both large trees and understory plant communities.
This document discusses fire ecology and the role of fire in various ecosystems. It notes that globally over 5,000 Tg of biomass is consumed annually by natural fires, emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases. It explores how certain plant communities like Mediterranean shrublands and African savannas have evolved with and depend on fire. In India, most fires are human-caused and burn over 3.7 million hectares annually. The document then examines the effects of fire on air, soil, plants, and vegetation characteristics. It looks at how fire impacts nutrients, organic matter, soil biota and properties like pH. Finally, it discusses plant adaptations to fire and the use of fire as a management tool.
Vegetation development dynamics of fire experimental plots at olokemeji fores...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study on the effects of different fire treatments on three experimental plots in Olokemeji Forest Reserve in Nigeria over 70 years. Plot A was burned annually late in the dry season, Plot B was burned early in the dry season, and Plot C was unburned as a control. Plot A developed into a savanna woodland with few tree species, while Plot B became a transitional woodland. Plot C developed into a closed-canopy forest with the highest tree diversity and soil litter. The timing and frequency of fires significantly impacted the long-term vegetation development in each plot.
This document discusses upland hardwood forest management. It describes the tree species that occur on xeric (dry) and mesic (moist) upland sites. It notes that oak regeneration is particularly challenging on mesic sites due to competition from faster growing species like yellow poplar and black cherry. Several cutting systems are discussed for regenerating oak, including clearcutting, shelterwood, and group selection. The disadvantages and appropriate sites for each system are provided. The document also briefly outlines the stand initiation and stem exclusion stages of forest stand development.
Nest-building and wood consumption dynamics : the underground architecture of...Dr. Berville
Animals can create controlled microhabitats using self-made structures. The most impressive are the nests of social insects (i.e., ants, bees, wasps, and termites). It is however difficult to study subterranean termite nests without using invasive techniques because the nests are built within pieces of wood and/or in the soil. Using computerized tomography scans and medical imaging software (OsiriX), we were able to observe nest creation, construction, and architecture over a several-month period in two Reticulitermes species: R. grassei, native to Europe, and R. flavipes, an invasive introduced from North America. Although the two species displayed some similarities (i.e., in nest creation, chamber size, and levels of wood consumption), only R. flavipes built interior structures with sand. Some of these structures changed over time and thus might play a role in the trade-off between wood consumption, colony protection, and environmental homeostasis.
An Approach For Identifying The Forest Fire Using Land Surface Imagery By Loc...IOSR Journals
This document presents a new approach for identifying forest fires using land surface temperature satellite imagery. It involves segmenting the imagery into clusters using k-means clustering to locate regions of abnormal temperature distribution. The mean wavelength value is then computed for regions of interest using Haar wavelets. Experimental results on 312 images found that a mean wavelength exceeding 10.14 accurately identified forest fire locations according to historical records, with an average accuracy of 89.5%. This approach provides an improved method for early forest fire detection compared to existing techniques.
This document summarizes a study that analyzed over 2000 samples from 200 homes exposed to 10 different wildfires across 5 states. The goal was to assess wildfire smoke exposure in homes. Particles from wildfires were found to be present in homes months after the fires, and have distinguishing characteristics like charred plant matter, ash, soot, oxidized soil, and fire retardant. Tapelifts were taken from horizontal surfaces in homes and analyzed under a microscope to identify and quantify wildfire particle assemblages. The analysis found thermally modified plant phytoliths, char, and ash that matched the local wildfire fuels and provided evidence of smoke exposure from specific fires even long after they occurred.
Termite (isoptera) assemblages in rufiji district tanzaniaAlexander Decker
This document summarizes a study on termite assemblages under different land uses in Rufiji District, Tanzania. The study investigated termite abundance, feeding groups, and species richness in cropland, grassland, and forest areas. Standardized transect sampling was used to collect termites from the different habitats. Termites were identified based on feeding preferences and allocated to feeding groups. Statistical analysis found no significant differences in feeding group distributions across habitats, though human activities were found to influence termite variations to some degree. The results provide baseline data on termite feeding groups that can inform future research in the district.
This study investigated the effects of slope position, gap size, and competition on the survival and growth of American chestnut hybrids and tulip poplar seedlings planted in experimental plots in Virginia over seven years. Chestnut saplings grew best in large gaps with mesic soil but only significantly differed from growth in large gaps with xeric soil. Chestnut survival was higher in plots on upper slopes due to lower rodent predation on lower slopes. Both chestnut and tulip poplar grew best and survived best in small gaps with xeric soil where competition was lowest.
Abstract— Pinus halepensis Mill., is a most common tree in the Mediterranean basin. In Tunisia, specifically Kroumirie, it is an excellence species. However, for several years, we assist a continual deterioration of this ecosystem type. Several factors are the origin for this degradation: insects and fungi attack, fire, aging populations, low regeneration and hardening climate. This degradation is further accentuated by installing careers around the pine forest. Our objective in this study was to identify the career dust influence on growth and productivity of Aleppo pine; through dendrochronological approach (tree rings study) and dendrometric approach (measurement of diameter, height and survival rate). Study is accomplished on two populations: a reference site ‘Charchara’ located away from mining and Oued el maaden site near a gravel extraction career. In addition, physical and chemical parameters are analysed on soil and water samples collected in the two sites. Results showed significant differences of parameters studied between stations both in dendrometric and dendrochronological parameters over time. Second, in physical and chemical parameters, a very high content on metals traces was found on soil and water in Oued el maaden site.
Effects of a severe drought on Quercus ilex radial growth and xylem anatomyHibrids
1. Researchers studied the effects of a severe drought in 1994 on the radial growth and wood anatomy of Quercus ilex subsp. ballota trees in northeastern Spain.
2. They found that tree ring width, vessel diameter, and predicted hydraulic conductance declined significantly in 1994 compared to a wet year.
3. According to vulnerability curves, Q. ilex subsp. ballota showed greater drought resistance than Q. ilex subsp. ilex.
4. The response of Q. ilex subsp. ballota radial growth to the 1994 summer drought was comparable to that of co-occurring ring-porous oak species.
Forestry effects on stream invertebrate communitiesRodolfo Santos
Logging in the Pakuratahi stream catchment dramatically affected the stream invertebrate communities. At sites where the forest canopy was removed, taxa richness, water quality indicators (QMCI and MCI), and community evenness declined. Communities shifted from being dominated by mayflies to midges, snails, and worms. Most sites showed partial recovery within 3-6 years, though one site had not fully recovered after 8 years. Logging increased the amount of sand and silt in the stream beds at two sites. Nearby pasture streams did not experience similar changes, indicating the effects were due to forestry activities rather than other environmental factors.
This document summarizes a study of recent treeline dynamics in response to climatic variability in the Spanish Pyrenees. The researchers analyzed tree recruitment and treeline position changes over the past 100-300 years at three sites dominated by Pinus uncinata. They found that treelines ascended until the 1950s when temperature variability increased. During this later period, tree density within the ecotone was more sensitive to climate than treeline position. Tree recruitment responded positively to warm Marches while treeline position advanced during warm springs. Increased variability in March temperatures was found to decrease the likelihood of successful treeline ascent.
Cochrane & schulze, 1999. Fire as a recurrent event in tropical forests o...Izabelle Lopes
This document summarizes a study on the effects of fire as a recurrent disturbance in tropical forests of eastern Amazonia. The key points are:
1) Burned forests were found to be extremely heterogeneous, with substantial variation in forest structure and fire damage over small distances. Canopy cover, biomass, and stem densities decreased with increasing fire intensity/frequency.
2) Even light fires removed over 70% of sapling and vine populations. Abundance of pioneer species increased dramatically in more severely damaged areas.
3) Species richness was inversely related to burn severity but no clear pattern of species selection was observed.
4) Fire appears to be a cyclical, recurrent event in the region.
Similar to Consequences Of Forest Fires On The Corsican Nuthatches (20)
3. Because of its forest habitat, its restricted range, and its small
population size, the Corsican nuthatch is one of the rare
Mediterranean birds most threatened by fire.
Large fires may have different consequences for a bird population
depending on
1. the characteristics of the fire (e.g., size, severity, patchiness, time
since fire)
2. changes in vegetation structure
3. increase or depletion of food
4. nest-site availability
5. increase in predation
4. The present study aims :
• to measure the effect of two large
wildfires on nuthatch abundance,
• to identify the habitat
characteristics and level of fire
severity that best explained the
local presence or absence of the
nuthatches after the fire, so as to
recommend appropriate
conservation strategies and
forestry practices after fire.
5.
6. Study area:
• The forest of Tartagine-Melaja : In August 2003, a
wildfire burned 1 836 ha of forest and maquis. The
study area (680 ha) included the whole burned forest
except areas that had been logged for timber before
the fire.
• The forest of Corte-Restonica : In August 2000, a
wildfire burned 2 371 ha ha of forest and maquis. The
study area (224 ha) included most of the habitat of
nuthatches affected by fire.
7. In the forest of Tartagine-Melaja, in May and June 1992
(i.e., before the fire), the nuthatch territories were
exhaustively mapped on a ca. 300 ha. After the fire, i.e.
during springs 2004 and 2005, we mapped the nuthatch
territories on the whole study area
In the forest of Corte-Restonica, the nuthatch territories
were exhaustively mapped before the fire (1992) and
after the fire (i.e. during springs 2004 and 2005) on
whole area study
8. Study area :
• The forest of Tartagine-Melaja
Plot sampling:
• After mapping of nuthatch territories, we recorded
39 plots within nuthatches after fire (territories
occupied in 2004, or in 2005, or both)
• In addition, 22 plots without nuthatches after fire
were selected randomly using a GIS (Arcview
software).
9. Habitat measurements:
On the 39 occupied plots and the 22 empty plots, we defined 3 circular
sub-plots, each of them with a radius of ca. 11.40 m. The centres of the
three subplots were 50 m away from each other on a straight and
generally horizontal line. The centre of the median sub-plot
corresponded, depending on the case, (i) to a nest, (ii) to a contact with
a territorial bird, if the nest was not found, or (iii) to the centre of a
randomly selected square without nuthatch.
Within each sub-plot, we measured five variables on all Corsican pines
whose diameter at breast height (DBH) was greater than 10 cm:
(i) DBH, (ii) height of the tree, (iii) height of blackened trunk, (iv)
height of the lowest branch of the crown, (v) height of the lowest
branch with green foliage
In the statistical analysis, the three subplots were lumped together into
one plot, corresponding to a surface of ca. 1 225 m².
10. From the field measurements we calculated several
secondary variables, and selected among them seven
variables for the modelling :
1. the number of trees on the plot (NT),
2. the diameter of the largest pine on the plot (Dmax),
3. the height of the smallest pine (Hmin),
4. the length of the longest pine crown (before fire) on the plot
(LCmax),
5. the number of dead pines (NDT),
6. the minimum height of blackened trunk (HBTmin),
7. the smallest length of pine crown burned (SLCB), i.e., the length of
the burned crown measured on the pine which has been the least
affected by the fire on the plot (measured from the lowest branch of
the crown upwards to the first green branch).
11. Data analysis:
Based on these seven variables, we modelled the presence-absence of the
nuthatch using multiple logistic regressions. Starting from full models, each
of them including a set of variables and all their interactions, the selection
was performed through a backward procedure using R software.
We first explored two categories of variables separately (step 1):
(i) four dendrometric variables (NT, Dmax, Hmin, LCmax),
(ii) three fire severity variables (NDT, HBTmin, SLCB).
After having identified the best model in each category from its p value
(using AIC instead of the probabilities lead to the same results), we merged
all the selected explanatory variables and continued the selection process
until the final model, where all the variables were significant (step 2).
Significance is given at the 5% level.
12.
13. r
r
%U
%U
%U
%U
r
%U
%U
%U %U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
N
EW
S
0 300 600 900 1200 m.
Zone prospectée
Années d'occupation des territoires
%U 1992-2004-2005-2007
%U 1992-2004-2005
%U 1992-2004
%U 1992-2007
%U 1992
r 2004-2005
r 2004-2007
r 2004
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
r
r
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U
%U %U
%U
%U
%U
%U
r
r
r
r
r
r rr
r
rrrr
r
r
r
r r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
rr
N
EW
S
0 300 600 900 1200 m.
Zone prospectée uniquement en 2004 et 2005
Zone prospectée en 1992, 2004 et 2005
Années d'occupation des territoires
%U 1992-2004-2005
%U 1992-2004
%U 1992-2005
%U 1992
r 2004-2005
r 2004
r 2005
14. Année Nombre de territoires
Corte-Restonica Tartagine-Melaja (ZONE-B)
1992 15 24
2000 incendie -
2003 - incendie
2004 11 15
2005 9 13
2007 5 -
in the two Corsican pine forests where
nuthatches have been monitored before and
after fire, the number of territorial birds has
sharply declined in the first spring after fire:
by - 37.5 % on Tartagine-Melaja and - 50%
on Restonica.
The decrease in abundance observed in the
study area appears to result from the fire
The habitat seems to remain
unfavourable for nuthatches
for several years after fire. We
did not observe any trend
toward a restoration of
nuthatch numbers in the first
two years after fire in
Tartagine-Melaja forest, nor
even in the first seven years
after fire in Restonica forest .
The decline for several years
after the fire may result to (i)
the mortality of individuals
remained on their territory
during the first years
following the disturbance
(site tenacity), and (ii) non-
recruitment of new nuthatches
due to unfavorable habitat
15. the modelling procedure selected the
smallest length of crown burned as the
only variable significantly (at the 5%
level) explaining nuthatch presence.
The regression coefficients show that
the smaller the length of crown
burned, the more likely was the
presence of the nuthatch after the fire
(intercept = 0.925, slope = -0.388).
The probability of occurrence of the
bird was greater than 0.5 when the
smallest length of crown burned on a
pine of the plot was less than 2.5 m (cf.
Fig.). In other words, the nuthatch
tends to be absent in severe burns
when all the pines have more than
2.5 m of burned crown.
0
0,1
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
0,6
0,7
0,8
0,9
1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
ProbabilityofoccurrenceoftheNuthatch
Smallest length of crown burned (m)
Probability of occurrence of the Corsican
Nuthatch as a function of the smallest length of
Corsican pine crown burned (with 90%
confidence intervals)
16. The fire can have different effects, not exclusive and depending generally on its
severity, that could explain the decline of nuthatches in burned areas:
The simultaneous decrease of shelters, of nest sites, and of food resources probably forces
nuthatches to leave the burned stands. Emigration resulting from a shortage of seeds has
been described in the related Red-breasted nuthatch Sitta canadensis, especially after fire.
Nuthatches breed in dead and soft wood where the pairs excavate holes. The fire usually
burns most of the available snags, so that it may be difficult for birds to find nest-sites in the
short term before new snags are available (several years may be required for the dead wood
of the pines killed by fire to become soft enough to permit the excavation of new nest sites
by the nuthatch).
The seeds of Corsican pine are the main food resource for nuthatches. Even if the opening of
cones by fire makes numerous unburned seeds available during the days immediately
following the fire, the production of new seeds is much reduced in burned areas.
Fire may cause an increase in the abundance of predators. Woodpeckers in general and
Great Spotted Woodpeckers Dendrocopos major (a nest predator of nuthatch), in particular,
usually increase in abundance after fire, increasing the risk of predation for nuthatch.
The disappearance of a fraction of the canopy, increasing the distances between crowns, is
prejudicial to forest birds that need cover as protection against predators.
17. The habitat seems to remain unfavourable for nuthatches for several
years after fire. We did not observe any trend toward a restoration of
nuthatch numbers in the first two years after fire in Tartagine-Melaja
forest, nor even in the first seven years after fire in Restonica forest.
There are several long-lasting effects of fire:
i. where there is woodland regrowth after fire, even when the
regeneration of the pines is successful the habitat, when
completely burned, remains unfavourable for 60-120 years, i.e.,
the estimated time for stand maturity
ii. the natural regeneration of Pinus nigra after fire is low
iii. seed production decreases for several years after fire
iv. Corsican pines suffer delayed mortality as other Mediterranean
pines
18. As with other passerines, the nuthatch seems to show a high site-
tenacity after a moderate disturbance. Owing to the irregular
topography of the Corsican mountain forests, the severity of the
fire varies from place to place, resulting in a mosaic of patches
burned to different degrees. The nuthatch is absent only in the
most burned areas. This mosaic pattern tempers the impact of
large wildfires on the population.
Our results show that the nuthatch is likely to be absent when all
the pines have more than 2.5 m of burned crown on the plot, and
present when at least one pine has less than 2.5 m of crown
burned (i.e., the threshold at which the presence and absence of
the nuthatch are equally probable). Thus a burned stand should
not be clear-cut in the latter case. The use of such criteria could
help the selection of plots to be cut where salvage logging is
necessary.