Fire Intensity and Severity in Brazilian Campos Grasslands
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Brazilian Campos grasslands are rich in species and the maintenance of its diversity and physiognomy is dependent on disturbance (e.g. fire and grazing). Nevertheless, studies about fire intensity and severity are inexistent. The present paper describes fire parameters, using 14 experimental burn plots in southern Brazil (30º02’ to 30º04’S, and 51º06’ to 51º09’W, 311masl). Two sites under different fire histories were chosen: frequently burned and excluded since six years. Experimental burning was performed during summer (2006-2007), when most burning takes place in these grasslands. The following parameters were measured: air temperature and moisture, vegetation height, wind speed, fuel (fine, coarse), fuel moisture, fire temperatures (soil level and at 50cm), ash, residuals, flame height, fire duration; burning efficiency and fire intensity were later calculated. Fuel load varied from 0.39 to 1.44kg·m-2, and correlated positively with both fire temperature and fire intensity. Fire temperatures ranged 47 to 537.5°C, being higher in the excluded site. Fire intensity was low compared to grassland elsewhere (36.5- 319.5kW·m-1), differing significantly between sites. Fine fuel was the variable that best explained fire intensity. The results on fire intensity and severity in Campos grasslands can be considered a pilot study, since plots were very small. However, the data provided can help other researchers to get permission for experimentation using larger plots. The results provide support for further studies about the effects of fire on grassland vegetation and for studies involving fire models and fire risk prediction.
Source: Americanae (AECID Library)
Language: English
Topic: Fire effects on ecosystems
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2115285782