Cited by 234Fire effects on ecosystemsFish Ecology and Management StudiesFreshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology

Fire effects on aquatic ecosystems: an assessment of the current state of the science

Open access
Bixby, Rebecca J., Cooper, Scott D., Gresswell, Robert E., Brown, Lee E., Dahm, Clifford N., Dwire, Kathleen A.·2015·Freshwater Science

Abstract

Fire is a prevalent feature of many landscapes and has numerous and complex effects on geological, hydrological, ecological, and economic systems. In some regions, the frequency and intensity of wildfire have increased in recent years and are projected to escalate with predicted climatic and landuse changes. In addition, prescribed burns continue to be used in many parts of the world to clear vegetation for development projects, encourage desired vegetation, and reduce fuel loads. Given the prevalence of fire on the landscape, authors of papers in this special series examine the complexities of fire as a disturbance shaping freshwater ecosystems and highlight the state of the science. These papers cover key aspects of fire effects that range from vegetation loss and recovery in watersheds to effects on hydrology and water quality with consequences for communities (from algae to fish), food webs, and ecosystem processes (e.g., organic matter subsidies, nutrient cycling) across a range of scales. The results presented in this special series of articles expand our knowledge of fire effects in different biomes, water bodies, and geographic regions, encompassing aquatic population, community, and ecosystem responses. In this overview, we summarize each paper and emphasize its contributions to knowledge on fire ecology and freshwater ecosystems. This overview concludes with a list of 7 research foci that are needed to further our knowledge of fire effects on aquatic ecosystems, including research on: 1) additional biomes and geographic regions; 2) additional habitats, including wetlands and lacustrine ecosystems; 3) different fire severities, sizes, and spatial configurations; and 4) additional response variables (e.g., ecosystem processes) 5) over long (>5 y) time scales 6) with more rigorous study designs and data analyses, and 7) consideration of the effects of fire management practices and policies on aquatic ecosystems.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1086/684073

Cites

93 of 93 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Fire-mobilized pollutants impacting water quality can also be harmful to aquatic life, at least in the short-term.

    “The same fire-mobilized pollutants impacting water quality can also be harmful to aquatic life, at least in the short-term (Bixby et al., 2015; Kelly et al., 2006).”
  • In-stream light availability tends to increase following wildfires, depending on amount and severity of riparian vegetation burned.

    “Not surprisingly, in-stream light availability tends to increase following wildfires, depending on the amount and severity of riparian vegetation burned (Bixby et al., 2015), and can be even more elevated where debris flows occur, opening up more of the canopy to light (Dunham et al., 2007).”
  • Algal assemblages can be impacted by wildfire, both through changes in biomass and composition, depending on waterbody type, context, and timing.

    “Algal assemblages can be impacted by wildfire, both through changes in biomass and composition, depending on waterbody type, context, and timing (Bixby et al., 2015; McCullough et al., 2019).”
  • Increased light availability from riparian canopy loss has offset initial algal biomass decreases over time, increasing algal biomass and shifting competition toward high light taxa.

    “This has been offset over time by increased light availability from riparian canopy loss, increasing algal biomass and shifting competition toward high light taxa (Bixby et al., 2015; Klose et al., 2015; Verkaik et al., 2013).”

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Authors
Bixby, R. J., Cooper, S. D., Gresswell, R. E., Brown, L. E., Dahm, C. N., & Dwire, K. A.
Affiliations
  • University of New Mexico (US)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
  • United States Geological Survey (US)
  • University of Leeds (GB)
  • US Forest Service (US)
Corresponding author
  • Bixby, Rebecca J.
  • Cooper, Scott D.
  • Gresswell, Robert E.
  • Dahm, Clifford N.
  • Dwire, Kathleen A.
Venue
Freshwater Science
Published
2015-12-01
Volume
34
Issue
4
Pages
1340-1350
ISSN
  • 2161-9549 (ISSN-L)
  • 2161-9565
OpenAlex
W1747314316
Cited by
234
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 2
FWCI
7.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Freshwater Science (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Natural Environment Research Council (NE/G00224X/1)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Fish Ecology and Management Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
Keywords
wildfire effects, prescribed burning, aquatic ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems, fire ecology, vegetation recovery, watershed disturbance, hydrology, water quality, food webs, nutrient cycling, fire severity, fire management, wetlands, lakes

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