Tree mortality following ENSO-associated fires and drought in lowland rain forests of Eastern Nicaragua

Cerda, Íñigo Granzow‐de la; Lloret, Francisco; Ruiz, Javier; Vandermeer, John

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.10.034

Cited by 23 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Nevertheless, with the exception of hurricane/cyclone‐induced damage we know of no cases where natural disturbances – even when involving a combination of fire and drought effects – have been reported to lead to anything approximating total canopy destruction. For example, for tropical forests typical (absolute) drought‐induced increases in mortality rates in association with individual drought events are generally < 10% (Leighton & Wirawan, ; Swaine, ; Nakagawa et al ., ; Williamson et al ., ; Slik et al ., ; Baker & Bunyavejchewin, ; Phillips et al ., , ; Granzow‐de la Cerda et al ., ; Feldpausch et al ., ) with the most severe case we know of being c . 22% (Van Nieuwstadt & Sheil, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the relationship between fire regime and vegetation structure in the tropics

et al. 2018

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We assessed data from 11 experiments examining the effects of the timing and/or frequency of fire on tropical forest and/or savanna vegetation structure over one decade or more. The initial 'control treatment' in many such cases consisted of previously cleared land. This is as opposed to natural vegetation subject to some sort of endogenous fire regime before the imposition of fire treatments. Effects of fire on fractional foliar cover are up to 10-fold greater when clearing pre-treatments are imposed. Moreover, because many of the 'classic' fire trials were initialised with applied management questions in mind, most have also used burning regimes much more frequent and/or severe than those occurring in the absence of human activity. Once these factors are taken into account, our modelling analysis shows that nonanthropogenic fire regimes serve to reduce canopy vegetative cover to a much lower extent than has previously been argued to be the case. These results call into question the notion that fire effects on tropical vegetation can be of a sufficient magnitude to maintain open-type savanna ecosystems under climatic/soil regimes otherwise sufficient to give rise to a more luxurious forest-type vegetation cover.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the relationship between fire regime and vegetation structure in the tropics

et al. 2018

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“…Catastrophic forest damage resulting from extreme drought and heat is increasingly being reported from around the world (Ganey and Vojta 2011;Granzow-de la Cerda et al 2012). A recent review by Allen et al (2010) outlined 88 documented episodes of forest damage resulting from drought and/or heat events since the early 1970's, illustrating the vulnerability of forests to extreme climate conditions worldwide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sudden forest canopy collapse corresponding with extreme drought and heat in a mediterranean-type eucalypt forest in southwestern Australia

et al. 2013

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Drought and heat-induced forest dieback and mortality are emerging global concerns.Although Mediterranean-type forest (MTF) ecosystems are considered to be resilient to drought and other disturbances, we observed a sudden and unprecedented forest collapse in a MTF in Western Australia corresponding with record dry and heat conditions in 2010/2011.An aerial survey and subsequent field investigation were undertaken to examine: the incidence and severity of canopy dieback and stem mortality, associations between canopy health and stand-related factors as well as tree species response. Canopy mortality was found to be concentrated in distinct patches, representing 1.5% of the aerial sample (1,350 ha).Within these patches, 74% of all measured stems (> 1cm DBHOB) had dying or recently killed crowns, leading to 26% stem mortality six months following the collapse. Patches of canopy collapse were more densely stocked with the dominant species, Eucalyptus marginata, and lacked the prominent midstorey species Banksia grandis, compared to the surrounding forest. A differential response to the disturbance was observed among cooccurring tree species, which suggests contrasting strategies for coping with extreme water stress. These results suggest that MTFs, once thought to be resilient to climate change, are susceptible to sudden and severe forest collapse when key thresholds have been reached.

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“…; Granzow‐de la Cerda et al. ). Although few data are available in tropical rainforests (but see Balch et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Granzow‐de la Cerda et al. ). Moreover, the recurrence of such fires commonly leads to the conversion of forests in open fire‐prone ecosystems such as savannahs (Barlow and Peres ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific

Mangeas

Curt

Ibanez

et al. 2014

Ecology and Evolution

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Wildfire has been recognized as one of the most ubiquitous disturbance agents to impact on natural environments. In this study, our main objective was to propose a modeling approach to investigate the potential impact of wildfire on biodiversity. The method is illustrated with an application example in New Caledonia where conservation and sustainable biodiversity management represent an important challenge. Firstly, a biodiversity loss index, including the diversity and the vulnerability indexes, was calculated for every vegetation unit in New Caledonia and mapped according to its distribution over the New Caledonian mainland. Then, based on spatially explicit fire behavior simulations (using the FLAMMAP software) and fire ignition probabilities, two original fire risk assessment approaches were proposed: a one-off event model and a multi-event burn probability model. The spatial distribution of fire risk across New Caledonia was similar for both indices with very small localized spots having high risk. The patterns relating to highest risk are all located around the remaining sclerophyll forest fragments and are representing 0.012% of the mainland surface. A small part of maquis and areas adjacent to dense humid forest on ultramafic substrates should also be monitored. Vegetation interfaces between secondary and primary units displayed high risk and should represent priority zones for fire effects mitigation. Low fire ignition probability in anthropogenic-free areas decreases drastically the risk. A one-off event associated risk allowed localizing of the most likely ignition areas with potential for extensive damage. Emergency actions could aim limiting specific fire spread known to have high impact or consist of on targeting high risk areas to limit one-off fire ignitions. Spatially explicit information on burning probability is necessary for setting strategic fire and fuel management planning. Both risk indices provide clues to preserve New Caledonia hot spot of biodiversity facing wildfires.

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Tree mortality following ENSO-associated fires and drought in lowland rain forests of Eastern Nicaragua

Cited by 23 publications

References 52 publications

On the relationship between fire regime and vegetation structure in the tropics

On the relationship between fire regime and vegetation structure in the tropics

Sudden forest canopy collapse corresponding with extreme drought and heat in a mediterranean-type eucalypt forest in southwestern Australia

Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific

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