Influence of fuel structure derived from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) on wildfire severity in logged forests
Date
2021
Authors
Wilson, Nick
Bradstock, Ross A.
Bedward, Michael
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Press
Abstract
Context: Logging and wildfire can reduce the height of the forest canopy and the distance to the understorey
vegetation below. These conditions may increase the likelihood of high severity wildfire (canopy scorch or
consumption), which may explain the greater prevalence of high severity wildfire in some recently logged or
burnt forests. However, the effects of these structural characteristics on wildfire severity have not clearly been
demonstrated.
Objectives: We aimed to assess how the structure of forests affected by logging and wildfire influence the probability of high severity wildfire.
Methods: We used terrestrial laser scanning to measure the connectivity of canopy and understorey vegetation in
forests at various stages of recovery after logging and wildfire (approximately 0–80 years since disturbance).
These sites were subsequently burnt by mixed severity wildfire during the 2019–20 ‘Black Summer’ fire season in
south-eastern Australia. We assessed how these forest structure metrics affected the probability of high severity
wildfire.
Results: The probability of high severity fire decreased as the canopy base height increased, and the distance
between the canopy base and understorey increased. High severity wildfire was less likely in forests with taller
understoreys and greater canopy or understorey cover, but these effects were not considered causal. Fire weather
was the strongest driver of wildfire severity, which was also affected by topography.
Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a link between forest structure characteristics, that are strongly shaped
by antecedent logging and fire, and fire severity. They also indicate that vertical fuel structure should be
incorporated into assessments of fire risk.
Description
Keywords
Fire severity, Logging, Wildfire, Remote sensing, LiDAR, Eucalypt forest
Citation
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Source
Journal of Environmental Management
Type
Journal article
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Restricted until
2099-12-31
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