Exploring the potential of vegetation corridors in forest fire hazard reduction...

• Author(s): Azevedo, João ; Possacos, Anabela ; Dias, Rui ; Marrão, Rosalina ; Loureiro, Carlos ; Fernandes, Paulo M.
• Date: 2011
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/6478
• Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
• Subject(s): Holm oak; Quercus rotundifolia; Fire hazard; Bragança; BehavePlus
• Document Type: Conference Object
• Language: English

Description

In north-eastern Portugal, holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) woodlands have persisted in the landscape despite the occurrence of frequent fires. The hypothesis that these elements have a role in fire related processes has been proposed by foresters and scientists but only recently it has been addressed. In this research we analysed the current distribution of holm oak remnants in the region in terms of features such as slope, aspect, distance to streams, and position in the slope. We also compared their distribution in relation to the distribution of areas burned in the last decades. We found that holm oak woodlands are often adjacent to burned areas suggesting a barrier effect of these vegetation structures. Also, the woodlands are often located towards the bottom of very steep slopes. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that these patches arrest wildfires based on a modeling and simulation approach using field data collected in edges of holm oak woodlands. Computer simulated fire behaviour provided evidence that variations in intensity and velocity across holm oak edges make it possible for these woodlands to affect significantly fire spread. Founded on these results we explored the potential for holm oak corridors to be used in fire hazard reduction planning.