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Cited by 1,942Fire effects on ecosystemsPlant Water Relations and Carbon DynamicsEcology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 117 of the 118 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The global distribution of ecosystems in a world without fire

Bond, W. J., Woodward, F. I., Midgley, G. F.·2005·New Phytologist
DOI 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01252.x
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Abstract

This paper is the first global study of the extent to which fire determines global vegetation patterns by preventing ecosystems from achieving the potential height, biomass and dominant functional types expected under the ambient climate (climate potential). To determine climate potential, we simulated vegetation without fire using a dynamic global-vegetation model. Model results were tested against fire exclusion studies from different parts of the world. Simulated dominant growth forms and tree cover were compared with satellite-derived land- and tree-cover maps. Simulations were generally consistent with results of fire exclusion studies in southern Africa and elsewhere. Comparison of global 'fire off' simulations with landcover and treecover maps show that vast areas of humid C(4) grasslands and savannas, especially in South America and Africa, have the climate potential to form forests. These are the most frequently burnt ecosystems in the world. Without fire, closed forests would double from 27% to 56% of vegetated grid cells, mostly at the expense of C(4) plants but also of C(3) shrubs and grasses in cooler climates. C(4) grasses began spreading 6-8 Ma, long before human influence on fire regimes. Our results suggest that fire was a major factor in their spread into forested regions, splitting biotas into fire tolerant and intolerant taxa.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01252.x

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Citations

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Show all 118 references

Research works printed but not linked: 14

  1. Barnes DL, 1965, The effect of frequency of burning and mattocking on the control of coppice in the Marandellas sandveld, Rhodesian Journal of Agricultural Research, 3, 55
  2. Booysen P de V, 1984, Ecological Studies
  3. FAO, 2001, FAO Forestry Paper 140.
  4. Goldammer JG, 1993, Wildfire management in forests and other vegetation: a global perspective, Disaster Management, 5, 3
  5. Hassell CW, 2003, Fire in Ecosystems of South‐West Western Australia: Impacts and Management, 71
  6. Meeson BW, 1995, Global Data Sets for Land Atmospheric Models, 1987–88
  7. Midgley JJ, 1997, Vegetation of Southern Africa, 278
  8. O'Connor TG, 1997, Vegetation of Southern Africa, 215
  9. Pickett STA, 1985, The Ecology of Natural Disturbance
  10. Prance GT, 1992, Nature and Dynamics of Forest‐Savanna Boundaries, 295
  11. 10.1111/j.1523-1739.1998.96392.x · DOI
  12. Sarmiento G, 1992, Nature and Dynamics of Forest‐Savanna Boundaries, 583
  13. Schimper AFW, 1903, Plant Geographyraphy on a Physiological Basis
  14. TsvuuraV.1998.Effects of long‐term burning on some vegetation and soil characteristics on a dry miombo region at Marondera Zimbabwe.MSc Thesis University of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe.

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Metadata

Authors
Bond, W. J., Woodward, F. I., & Midgley, G. F.
Affiliations
  • University of Cape Town (ZA)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
  • Conservation International (US)
ORCID
Venue
New Phytologist
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2004-11-12
Volume
165
Issue
2
Pages
525-538
ISSN
  • 0028-646X (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8137
DOI
10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01252.x
OpenAlex
W2110659496
Cited by
1,942
References
118
Citations by year
2026: 58 · 2025: 94 · 2024: 82 · 2023: 101 · 2022: 107 · 2021: 121 · 2020: 92 · 2019: 115 · 2018: 114 · 2017: 112 · 2016: 112 · 2015: 119 · 2014: 110 · 2013: 118 · 2012: 95
FWCI
32.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • New Phytologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
  • National Research Foundation
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Keywords
fire, fire suppression, dynamic global vegetation models, tree cover, C4 grasslands, savanna, forest expansion, fire tolerance
MeSH terms
Biological Evolution, Fires, Models, Biological, Population Dynamics, Ecosystem, Plant Physiological Phenomena, Biomass

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