Fire in the Earth system.
Fire is a worldwide phenomenon that appears in the geological record soon after the appearance of terrestrial plants. Fire influences global ecosystem patterns and processes, including vegetation distribution and structure, the carbon cycle, and climate. Although humans and fire have always coexisted, our capacity to manage fire remains imperfect and may become more difficult in the future as climate change alters fire regimes. This risk is difficult to assess, however, because fires are still poorly represented in global models. Here, we discuss some of the most important issues involved in developing a better understanding of the role of fire in the Earth system.
Bowman
David M J S
DM
University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
Balch
Jennifer K
JK
Artaxo
Paulo
P
Bond
William J
WJ
Carlson
Jean M
JM
Cochrane
Mark A
MA
D'Antonio
Carla M
CM
Defries
Ruth S
RS
Doyle
John C
JC
Harrison
Sandy P
SP
Johnston
Fay H
FH
Keeley
Jon E
JE
Krawchuk
Meg A
MA
Kull
Christian A
CA
Marston
J Brad
JB
Moritz
Max A
MA
Prentice
I Colin
IC
Roos
Christopher I
CI
Scott
Andrew C
AC
Swetnam
Thomas W
TW
van der Werf
Guido R
GR
Pyne
Stephen J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002244:Carbon; D002980:Climate; D018534:Earth, Planet; D017753:Ecosystem; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D010944:Plants
D002244:Carbon