
Predicting fire frequency with chemistry and climate
Overview
This project developed a predictive model for estimating fire frequency based on theories and data in physical chemistry, ecosystem ecology, and climatology. We applied this model to produce maps of fire frequency under current climate and several climate warming scenarios across the United States. Results of the project provide information on fire frequency under alternative climate scenarios, information needed to parameterize forest landscape change models.
This work provides baseline parameters needed for modeling landscape change under alternative climate scenarios, and the immediate use will be by researchers at the University of Missouri. Ultimately this will lead to tools that will be used by a wide range of stakeholders concerned with management of forests for climate adaptation.