Age-class distribution and the forest fire cycle
Abstract
The expected age-class structure of a forest dependent on random periodic fire for disturbance and renewal is derived and presented. It is simply the negative exponential distribution, well known in probability mathematics. An important feature of this concept is that the present age-class structure of such a forest is the key to its past fire history. Its limitations are discussed, and the computer simulation of variations, including the interaction of fire and logging, is described. Three examples of its use in interpreting fire history are given.
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NUMBERS AND SIZES OF FIRES: LONG-TERM SPATIALLY EXPLICIT FIRE HISTORY IN A SWEDISH BOREAL LANDSCAPE
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Johnson, E. A., & Gutsell, S. L. (1994) · Advances in Ecological Research · doi:10.1016/s0065-2504(08)60216-0 · Cited by 414 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Wagner, C. E. V.
- Corresponding author
- Wagner, C. E. Van
- Venue
- Canadian Journal of Forest Research
- Publisher
- Canadian Science Publishing
- Published
- 1978-06-01
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 220-227
- ISSN
- 0045-5067 (ISSN-L)
- 1208-6037
- OpenAlex
- W2130609439
- Cited by
- 425
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 0.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Canadian Journal of Forest Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Forest ecology and management
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Forest Management and Policy
- Keywords
- forest age structure, age class distribution, fire cycle, negative exponential distribution, fire history reconstruction, forest regeneration
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