Fire In Patagonia

Aaron Malgren
Comparison Paper 1
Great Basin and Patagonia
Ecoregions found across the globe consist of similarities related to fire and cross-examining these regions provides insight to management. Comparing regions that have similar ecosystems allows for a greater understanding of how the environment has an effect on fire as well as how fire effects the environment. The comparison of fire regimes and history between the sage-steppe ecoregion found in the Great Basin of the US, as well as the steppe forests found in Patagonia is a good example.
Fire Regimes
Fire has played an integral role in the changes in the steppe forests of Patagonia throughout history and in recent times. Fire occurs in the area at a rate of less than 10-40 years
The large area of the sage-steppe ecoregion opens up for varying fire intervals due to topography, landscape context including vegetation, and fuel continuity (Bunting, n.d.). Fire intervals range from decades to centuries, with a productive fire regime ranging from 15-25 years (Bunting, n.d.; Veblen et al, 1999). Both fire frequency and fire size have increased in the latter half of the 20th century, with the more significant increase in the last two decades (Bunting, n.d.). During the months of July, August, and early September, lightning storms are common and the climate is conducive to increased
These differences include the effects of species in the area (most notably invasive species and benefits of native species), consequences of land-use, and the potential for climate to create variability in fire regimes.
Works Cited
Bunting, S (n.d.). Lecture 5.2: Great Basin [Online Slides]. Retrieved from University of Idaho Forestry Global Fire Ecology and Management Blackboard Learn: http://my.brainshark.com/Fire-ecology-of-sagebrush-steppe-728730785
Huber UM, Matkgraf V (2003) European impact on fire regimes and vegetation dynamics at the steppe-forest ecotone of southern Patagonia. The Holocene 13(4), 567-579.
Miller RF, Heyerdahl EK (2008) Fine-scale variation of historical fire regimes in sagebrush-steppe and juniper woodland: an example from California, USA. International Journal of Wildland Fire 17, 245–254.
Miller RF, Rose JA (1999) Fire history and western juniper encroachment in sagebrush steppe. Journal of Range Management 52, 550-559.
Veblen TT, Kitzberger T, Villalba R, Donnegan J (1999) Fire history in Northern Patagonia the roles of human and climatic variation. Ecological Monographs 69,