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Mccallum Jordan, Blake, 2013. Consumption of the organic layer in southern Sweden during fire events and correlations with the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) risk ratings. Second cycle, A2E. Alnarp: SLU, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre

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Abstract

The occurrence and thickness of organic layers in forests can significantly influence fire behavior. Complete understanding of the consumption of these layers
during fire events is a knowledge gap that exists in southern Sweden. In this region, sixteen burned sites were measured for fermentation and humus layer thickness.
These measurements were compared to those collected on an adjacent non-burned control site. Consumption was calculated to correlate with the numerical rating
components of Duff Moisture Code (DMC), Drought Code (DC), Build-Up Index (BUI), and Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) of the overall Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS).

The FWI numerical ratings focused upon in this study were found to be appropriate indicators for relative amounts of fermentation and humus organic layer consumption attributed to fire events in southern Sweden. In particular, variation of fermentation layer consumption was most clearly associated with the DMC, humus layer consumption with the DC, and total (fermentation and humus) organic layer
consumption with both the DC and the BUI.

On sites where root exposure and tree mortality were noted, consumption of the organic layer was relatively high and the DMC and DC numerical ratings were categorized as extreme or high risks. Site characteristics, in particular
microtopography and vegetation, were significant factors in accounting for the amount of consumption of these organic layers. The efficacy of the FWI fire risk ratings for
indicating organic layer consumption was bolstered when coupled with these site characteristics. Additionally, planning smoldering fires for forest ecological or
management goals is facilitated by the FWI values.

Main title:Consumption of the organic layer in southern Sweden during fire events and correlations with the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) risk ratings
Authors:Mccallum Jordan, Blake
Supervisor:Niklasson, Mats and Bullock, P. Bronson and Braham , R. Richard and McCarte, B. James
Examiner:Agestam, Eric
Series:Examensarbete / SLU, Institutionen för sydsvensk skogsvetenskap
Volume/Sequential designation:209
Year of Publication:2013
Level and depth descriptor:Second cycle, A2E
Student's programme affiliation:SM001 Euroforester - Master's Programme 120 HEC
Supervising department:(S) > Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
Keywords:fire, organic layer consumption, Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI), , Sweden
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-2537
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-2537
Subject. Use of subject categories until 2023-04-30.:Forestry - General aspects
Forest injuries and protection
Language:English
Deposited On:05 Jul 2013 13:46
Metadata Last Modified:05 Jul 2013 13:46

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