Reconstruction of Fire Regimes

Paper instructions:

Contrast tree-ring fire history reconstruction methods in Brown & Wu and Swetnam vs. using charcoal sediments in Whitlock et al.: what are some of the main strengths and weaknesses of using either method to be able to reconstruct and define past fire regimes? Consider the methods in light of different components of fire regimes; i.e., can one method reconstruct fire frequency better than the other, or what about severity? How else are tree-ring and sediment data used in these papers to complement the fire histories? What is missing from these analyses?  And again, coming back to a question from a week ago, about a difference between “fire history” and “fire regimes”. Does it make more sense in light of these three papers?

ANSWER TO THE QUESTION

Various empirical and complementary methods have been developed in an attempt to reconstruct and define past fire regimes.  This paper compares and contrasts the tree-ring method and the charcoal sediments proxy methods with specific references to the articles by Whitlock et al. (2003), Brown & Wu (2005), and Swetnam (1993).

Tree-ring records provide a precise temporal and short-term reconstruction of fire occurrences (Swetnam, 1993). Careful cross-dating and examination of tree rings gives information on the year and occasionally the season during which a fire occurred. Such data offer an appreciable degree of spatial resolution for the reconstruction of fires since the location of the trees with fire scars indicate the precise location of a fire. The disadvantage of the tree-ring method is that records obtained in this manner get attenuated with time as the abundance of older trees reduces.

Comparatively, charcoal sediment records facilitate the reconstruction of longer fire histories albeit with reduced spatial precision. Since charcoal particles can be transported for long distances and can accumulate to form heaps, the origin of the charcoal could be from fires far away. Such processes tend to blur the accuracy of this method of fire reconstruction.

Regarding gauging the severity of a fire, charcoal sediment records provide more useful information as compared to tree-ring data, particularly for mixed-severity or high-severity fire regimes. The latter finds most utility in the reconstruction of surface regimes. Additionally, charcoal sediments, based on the rate at which they accumulate can provide valuable data on the protracted differences in fire frequency.

Tree-ring records have been used as a basis for the reconstruction of climatic conditions and precipitations (Brown & Wu, 2005). On the other hand, charcoal sediments have been used in the analyses as a method of reconstructing vegetation history (Whitlock et al., 2003). Accordingly, the two methods have been used to complement the information on fire histories.

Overall, the three articles provide further clarity on the difference between fire history and fire regimes. The authors clearly highlight fire regimes as the severity and frequency of fires over a period. Conversely, fire history is primarily limited to the time frames within fires occur and does not incorporate the nature or severity of a fire.

TO RECEIVE THE REST OF THE PAPER IN THIS PROJECT, KINDLY GO TO www.perfectacademic.com. CLICK PLACE ORDER – FILL THE DETAILS OF THE ASSIGNMENT – COMPLETE PAYMENT PROCESSING

OUR PROFESSIONAL WRITERS WILL HAVE PAPER IN NO TIME!

Perfectacademic.com = A Grade paper + Timely Delivery By Our Professional Writers

PLACE THE ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET A PERFECT SCORE!!!