A Way Forward for Fire-Caused Tree Mortality Prediction: Modeling A Physiological Consequence of Fire

Fire Ecology

Kathleen L. Kavanagh¹  Matthew B. Dickinson²  Anthony S. Bova² 

[1] Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, USA;Northern Research Station, Forest Service, Delaware, USA

关键词: cavitation;    crown scorch;    fire plume;    tree mortality;    vapor pressure deficit;   

DOI  :  10.4996/fireecology.0601080

学科分类：生态、进化、行为和系统

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Current operational methods for predicting tree mortality from fire injury are regression-based models that only indirectly consider underlying causes and, thus, have limited generality. A better understanding of the physiological consequences of tree heating and injury are needed to develop biophysical process models that can make predictions under changing or novel conditions. As an illustration of the benefits that may arise from including physiological processes in models of fire-caused tree mortality, we develop a testable, biophysical hypothesis for explaining pervasive patterns in conifer injury and functional impairment in response to fires. We use a plume model to estimate vapor pressure deficits (D) in tree canopies during surface fires and show that D are sufficiently high to cause embolism in canopy branches. The potential implications of plume conditions and tree response are discussed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY