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Research article2018Peer reviewedOpen access

Coordination through databases can improve prescribed burning as a conservation tool to promote forest biodiversity

Ramberg, Ellinor; Strengbom, Joachim; Granath, Gustaf

Abstract

Prescribed fires are a common nature conservation practice. They are executed by several parties with limited coordination among them, and little consideration for wildfire occurrences and habitat requirements of fire-dependent species. Here, we gathered data on prescribed fires and wildfires in Sweden during 2011-2015 to (i) evaluate the importance and spatial extent of prescribed fires compared to wildfires and (ii) illustrate how a database can be used as a management tool for prescribed fires. We found that on average only 0.006% (prescribed 65%, wildfires 35%) of the Swedish forest burns per year, with 58% of the prescribed fires occurring on clearcuts. Also, both wildfires and prescribed fires seem to be important for the survival of fire-dependent species. A national fire database would simplify coordination and make planning and evaluation of prescribed fires more efficient. We propose an adaptive management strategy to improve the outcome of prescribed fires.

Keywords

Boreal; Fire-dependent species; Forest management; Geranium lanuginosum; Prescribed burning; Stephanopachys substriatus

Published in

AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2018, Volume: 47, number: 3, pages: 298-306
Publisher: SPRINGER