The Role of Fire. Northern Circu01polar Ecosyste01s

Transcription

1 SCOPE 18 The Role of Fire m Northern Circu01polar Ecosyste01s Edited by RossW. Wein Fire Science Centre and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Canada and David A. MacLean Maritimes Forest Research Centre, Canadian Forestry Service, New Brunswick, Canada t. Published on behalf of the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) of the International Council of Scientific Unions (!CSU) by JOHN WILEY & SONS Chichester New York Brisbane Toronto Singapore ARLIS Alaska Resoun:es Library & Information Setvices labrary Building, Suite Ill Providence Drive Aocboi'age, AK

2 Contents Foreword... xv Preface... xvii Acknowledgements... xix List of Contributors... xxi 1 An overview of fire in northern ecosystems R. W. Weinand D.A. MacLean 1.1 Introduction TheNorthernEnvironment Physical parameters Biological parameters The Fire Environment Use of Fire as a Resource Management Technique The State-of-the-Science References SECTION I: PAST ANDPRESENTFIREFREQUENCIES 2 The post-glacial fire record K. Tolonen 2.1 Introduction Lake Sediment Records General methodological possibilities Example 1: Ancient fire regime in sprucedominated forests in south Finland Example 2: Lake Laukunlampi in eastern Finland Regional comparison oflake sediment records Charcoal in Peat Profiles General North America and Greenland Europe Chronological and Geographical Variation in the Post-glacial Fire Frequency Vll

3 Vlll Contents 2.5 Archaeological Aspects Conclusions References Fire Frequencies during the suppression period R.I. Barney and B.J. Stocks 3.1 Introduction Pre-suppression Period Fires Fire Frequencies During the Active Suppression Period The USSR Alaska, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories The Prairie Provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba Ontario and Quebec Sweden Finland Discussion Acknowledgements References SECTION II: PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF FIRE 4 Fire behaviour in northern conifer forests and shrub lands C.E. Van Wagner 4.1 Introduction Fire Behaviour Principles Fire Description Northern Fuels Weather and Climate KindsofFire PredictionofFireBehaviour Fire Regimes and Ecology FlammabilityVersusAge Conclusions References Fire behaviour and ecological effects in organic terrain R.W. Wein 5.1 Introduction Frequency of Fires in Organic Terrain FireBehaviour... ~...:... 84

4 Contents IX LaboratoryStudies Field Studies Ecologicallmplications Ecological relationships in the soil organic matter layer Paludification-fire-nutrient release hypothesis Plant community patterns caused by organic soil removal FutureResearchSuggestions Acknowledgements References Effects of fire on the permafrost ground thermal regime The late R.J.E. Brown 6.1 Introduction Characteristics and Distribution of Permafrost Immediate Effects of Fire on Permafrost Long-term Effects of Fire on Permafrost Effects of fire on the active layer Effects of fire on ground temperatures Effects of fire on the ground-surface energy exchange Conclusions References Fire and nutrient cycling D.A. MacLean, S.J. Woodley, M.G. Weber, and R. W. Wein 7.1 Introduction..., Nutrient Cycling in Undisturbed Northern Ecosystems Principles Current data availability for northern ecosystems Succession and nutrient cycling Nutrient distribution in relation to increasing latitude Nitrogen fixation in northern ecosystems Effects of Fire on Nutrient Distribution and Cycling Nutrient redistribution during fire Post -fire nutrient cycling... ; Nutrient cycling in relation to fire frequency and intensity Conclusions and Future Research Needs References... ;

5 X Contents SECTION III: CONCEPTS OF FIRE EFFECTS ON INDIVIDUALS AND SPECIES 8 Concepts of fire effects on plant individuals and species J.S. Rowe 8.1 Introduction Patterns of Fire in Space and-in Time Life-forms, Functions, and Fire FunctionalAdaptationsofPlants Invaders Evaders Avoiders Resisters Endurers Succession Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgements References Post-fire succession of small-mammal and bird communities J.F. Fox 9.1 Introduction Methods Small Mammals Geographicaldistributionofstudies ,3.2 Aggregate community properties Species sequence and natural history SmallmammalsinthefarNorth Effectsofloggingversusfires Fu.turestudies Bird Communities Geographical distribution of studies Aggregate community properties Post-disturbanceresponses Bird communities in the boreal forest and the Far North Latitude and bird community similarity Discussion Acknowledgements... : References

6 Contents XI SECTION IV: FIRE EFFECTS IN SELECTED VEGETATION ZONES 10 The ecological role of fire in jack pine forests J.H. Cayford and D.J. McRae 10.1 Introduction FireandJackPine Coneserotiny Cone opening and seed dissemination..., Germination and seedling development Post-fire successional patterns Fire Effects Wildfire Characteristics PrescribedFire Conclusions References The effects of fire in black spruce ecosystems of Alaska and northern Canada L.A. Viereck 11.1 Introduction Climate Fire Regime in the Black Spruce Type Adaptation to Fire EffectofSeverityofBurn Revegetation Following Fire in the Black Spruce Type Theblackspruce-feathermosstype... : The black spruce-lichen woodland Relationship With Other Vegetation Types Succession and Climax Effects of Fire on Ecosystem Components and Processes Summary References Fire influences in Abies-dominated forests V. V. Furyaev, R. W. Wein, and D.A. MacLean 12.1 Introduction Fire Frequencies Natural firefrequencies The insect-wildfire hypothesis... : Fire Behaviour Effects of Fire on Ecosystem Components

7 xu Contents Primaryproducers Secondary producers Physical environment Fire Management Conclusions and Research Needs Acknowledgements References The role of fire in lichen-dominated tundra and forest-tundra A.N.D. Auclair 13.1 Introduction Predisposition to fire Fire occurrence Vegetation distribution Vegetation Flammability and Behaviour of Fire Extrinsicfactors Intrinsicfactors Fire-induced Changes Combustion and mineralization of organic material Changesinsurfaceandsoilmicroclimate Alteration of soil stability and hydrology Post-fire Regeneration Plant succession Changes in soil decomposers Changes in insect, bird, and mammal species Future Research Needs References SECTION V: FIRE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT 14 Measures for fire prevention on peat deposits V.I. Chistjakov, A.!. Kuprijanov, V. V. Gorshkov, and E.S. Artsybashev 14.1 Introduction Peat Fires on Undisturbed Peat Deposits Characteristicsofpeatfires Fire hazard Fire suppression Fire Hazard During Peat Deposit Exploitation Spontaneous ignition in peat stockpiles Firesinpeatharvestfields

8 Contents xiii Measures for fire prevention in peat stockpiles Measures for restriction of fire spread Fire Suppression on Peat Production Areas Techniques of peat fire suppression Suppression oflarge peat fires Acknowledgements Bibliography Fire management in wilderness areas, parks, and other nature reserves M.E. Alexander and D. E. Dube 15.1 Introduction Forest Fire Programme in Northern Circumpolar Nature Reserves Alaska Northwestern Canada Western and Central Canada North-central United States Eastern Canada Fennoscandia and USSR Discussion Concluding Remarks Acknowledgements References... : Glossary Author Index Geographic Index... : Subjectlndex

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