Examining fire-prone forest landscapes as coupled human and natural systems

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Fire-prone landscapes are not well studied as coupled human and natural systems (CHANS) and present many challenges for understanding and promoting adaptive behaviors and institutions. Here, we explore how heterogeneity, feedbacks, and external drivers in this type of natural hazard system can lead to complexity and can limit the development of more adaptive approaches to policy and management. Institutions and social networks can counter these limitations and promote adaptation. We also develop a conceptual model that includes a robust characterization of social subsystems for a fire-prone landscape in Oregon and describe how we are building an agent-based model to promote understanding of this social-ecological system. Our agent-based model, which incorporates existing ecological models of vegetation and fire and is based on empirical studies of landowner decision-making, will be used to explore alternative management and fire scenarios with land managers and various public entities. We expect that the development of CHANS frameworks and the application of a simulation model in a collaborative setting will facilitate the development of more effective policies and practices for fire-prone landscapes.

Land Use and Wildfire: A Review of Local Interactions and Teleconnections

“…While our review is not exhaustive, it does suggest that even though there are clear feedbacks between land use and fire, they are still often studied as a closed rather than coupled system. This may be changing however, as recent research has shown promise in this area [20,84,85]. We suggest that future research into fire and land use as a coupled system is necessary to provide pathways to a future where we co-exist with fire as a natural process, and when possible, better plan how and where we build.…”

Historical perspective on the influence of wildfire policy, law, and informal institutions on management and forest resilience in a multiownership, frequent-fire, coupled human and natural system in Oregon, USA

“…Whereas our historical framework is designed to trace institutional and management evolution systematically over the long term , the conceptual model supports the examination of socialecological system components and processes. Our conceptual model builds on that of Spies et al (2014), which portrays feedbacks among social factors, management decisions, and landscape conditions. Our model focuses on the social subsystem.…”

“…Few investigators have examined influences on wildfire management decision making and behavior using a CHANS approach (although see Spies et al 2014). A CHANS approach examines processes that link human and natural subsystems, similar to a social-ecological systems approach (e.g., Berkes et al 2000, Walker et al 2006.…”

Using community archetypes to better understand differential community adaptation to wildfire risk

“…Increasing wildfire risks are driven significantly by the relationships (or couplings) between social and biophysical systems [4,20,21]. It is widely recognized that human development patterns, historic land management policies and the structure of firefighting administration in many places in the world are contributors to the challenges posed by wildfires and must be considered as part of any long-term 'solutions' [1,22].…”