Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 248-254 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | International Journal of Wildland Fire |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Abstract
To study the poorly known fire history of Larix-dominated forest in central Siberia, we collected samples from 200 trees in 46 systematically located study plots. Our study area stretches ∼90km from north to south along the River Nizhnyaya Tunguska in northern Irkustk district. Cross-dated tree-ring chronology for all samples combined extended from the year 1360 AD to the present and included 76 fire years and 88 separate fire events. Average fire cycle gradually lengthened from 52 years in the 18th century to 164 years in the 20th century. During the same time, the number of recorded fires decreased even more steeply, i.e. by more than 85%. Fires were more numerous but smaller in the past. Contrary to expectations, climate change in the 20th century has not resulted in increased forest fires in this region. Fire suppression may have contributed to the scarcity of fires since the 1950s. However, a significant decline in fires was evident earlier; therefore an additional explanation is required, a reduction in human-caused ignitions being likely in the light of historical accounts.
Keywords
- dendrochronology, fire cycle, fire history, fire scar, forest dynamics, human influence, Larix gmelinii, natural, permafrost region, Pinus sylvestris, Siberia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: International Journal of Wildland Fire, Vol. 20, No. 2, 2011, p. 248-254.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Declining fires in Larix-dominated forests in northern Irkutsk district
AU - Wallenius, Tuomo
AU - Larjavaara, Markku
AU - Heikkinen, Juha
AU - Shibistova, Olga
N1 - Copyright: Copyright 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - To study the poorly known fire history of Larix-dominated forest in central Siberia, we collected samples from 200 trees in 46 systematically located study plots. Our study area stretches ∼90km from north to south along the River Nizhnyaya Tunguska in northern Irkustk district. Cross-dated tree-ring chronology for all samples combined extended from the year 1360 AD to the present and included 76 fire years and 88 separate fire events. Average fire cycle gradually lengthened from 52 years in the 18th century to 164 years in the 20th century. During the same time, the number of recorded fires decreased even more steeply, i.e. by more than 85%. Fires were more numerous but smaller in the past. Contrary to expectations, climate change in the 20th century has not resulted in increased forest fires in this region. Fire suppression may have contributed to the scarcity of fires since the 1950s. However, a significant decline in fires was evident earlier; therefore an additional explanation is required, a reduction in human-caused ignitions being likely in the light of historical accounts.
AB - To study the poorly known fire history of Larix-dominated forest in central Siberia, we collected samples from 200 trees in 46 systematically located study plots. Our study area stretches ∼90km from north to south along the River Nizhnyaya Tunguska in northern Irkustk district. Cross-dated tree-ring chronology for all samples combined extended from the year 1360 AD to the present and included 76 fire years and 88 separate fire events. Average fire cycle gradually lengthened from 52 years in the 18th century to 164 years in the 20th century. During the same time, the number of recorded fires decreased even more steeply, i.e. by more than 85%. Fires were more numerous but smaller in the past. Contrary to expectations, climate change in the 20th century has not resulted in increased forest fires in this region. Fire suppression may have contributed to the scarcity of fires since the 1950s. However, a significant decline in fires was evident earlier; therefore an additional explanation is required, a reduction in human-caused ignitions being likely in the light of historical accounts.
KW - dendrochronology
KW - fire cycle
KW - fire history
KW - fire scar
KW - forest dynamics
KW - human influence
KW - Larix gmelinii
KW - natural
KW - permafrost region
KW - Pinus sylvestris
KW - Siberia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79953286464&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/WF10020
DO - 10.1071/WF10020
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79953286464
VL - 20
SP - 248
EP - 254
JO - International Journal of Wildland Fire
JF - International Journal of Wildland Fire
SN - 1049-8001
IS - 2
ER -