Human influence on California fire regimes

• Published in: Ecological applications Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 1388 - 1402
• Main Authors: Syphard, A.D, Radeloff, V.C, Keeley, J.E, Hawbaker, T.J, Clayton, M.K, Stewart, S.I, Hammer, R.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2007
• Subjects: Agriculture; anthropogenic activities; California; Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecosystem; fire ecology; fire frequency; fire history; fire incidence; Fires - prevention & control; Fires - statistics & numerical data; Forecasting; Geography; housing; housing density; human population; Humans; plant ecology; population density; regression analysis; Risk Factors; shrublands; Time Factors; Trees - growth & development; urbanization; wildfires; wildland-urban interface; California

Periodic wildfire maintains the integrity and species composition of many ecosystems, including the mediterranean-climate shrublands of California. However, human activities alter natural fire regimes, which can lead to cascading ecological effects. Increased human ignitions at the wildland-urban in...