Мақола

Large-Scale Spatiotemporal Patterns of Burned Areas and Fire-Driven Mortality in Boreal Forests (North America)

Wendi ZhaoGuangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Cultivation of Fast-Growing Timber in Central South China, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaQing ZhuShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, ChinaQiuling ChenShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, ChinaXiaohan MengShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, ChinaKexu SongShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, ChinaDiego I. Rodríguez‐HernándezSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UKManuel Esteban Lucas‐BorjaEscuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y de Montes y Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, SpainDemetrio Antonio ZemaAGRARIA Department, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Località Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyTong ZhangGuangxi Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station/Xing’an Guilin Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, ChinaXiali GuoGuangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Cultivation of Fast-Growing Timber in Central South China, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China

Forestsjournal2025en

ABI

Аннотация

Due to climate effects and human influences, wildfire regimes in boreal forests are changing, leading to profound ecological consequences, including shortened fire return intervals and elevated tree mortality. However, a critical knowledge gap exists concerning the spatiotemporal dynamics of fire-induced tree mortality specifically within the vast North American boreal forest, as previous studies have predominantly focused on Mediterranean and tropical forests. Therefore, in this study, we used satellite observation data obtained by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua and Terra MCD64A1 and related database data to study the spatial and temporal variability in burned area and forest mortality due to wildfires in North America (Alaska and Canada) over an 18-year period (2003 to 2020). By calculating the satellite reflectance data before and after the fire, fire-driven forest mortality is defined as the ratio of the area of forest loss in a given period relative to the total forest area in that period, i.e., the area of forest loss divided by the total forest area. Our findings have shown average values of burned area and forest mortality close to 8000 km2/yr and 40%, respectively. Burning and tree loss are mainly concentrated between May and September, with a corresponding temporal trend in the occurrence of forest fires and high mortality. In addition, large-scale forest fires were primarily concentrated in Central Canada, which, however, did not show the highest forest mortality (in contrast to the results recorded in Northern Canada). Critically, based on generalized linear models (GLMs), the results showed that fire size and duration, but not the burned area, had significant effects on post-fire forest mortality. Overall, this study shed light on the most sensitive forest areas and time periods to the detrimental effects of forest wildfire in boreal forests of North America, highlighting distinct spatial and temporal vulnerabilities within the boreal forest and demonstrating that fire regimes (size and duration) are primary drivers of ecological impact. These insights are crucial for refining models of boreal forest carbon dynamics, assessing ecosystem resilience under changing fire regimes, and informing targeted forest management and conservation strategies to mitigate wildfire impacts in this globally significant biome.

Мавзулар

Fire effects on ecosystems Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics Remote Sensing in Agriculture

Идентификаторлар

DOI: 10.3390/f16081282

Иқтибослар ва манбалар

0 та иқтибос55 та фойдаланилган манба

Кўрсаткичлар — AkademScholar · Тез орада