![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Abstract
We have assessed the fire proneness of the main forest types in Portugal classified according to the main species, using three different approaches: the use of resource selection ratios applied to burned patches, the proportion of randomly located plots that were burned and the proportion of burned National Forest Inventory plots. The results allowed ranking fire proneness according to the following decreasing order: maritime pine forests, eucalyptus forests, unspecified broadleaf forests, unspecified conifer forests, cork oak forests, chestnut forests, holm oak forests and stone pine forests. In order to understand the obtained results we have assessed the structure of the different forest types using the percent cover of seven vegetation layers (C1–C7), a Tree Dominance Index, a Height Index and a Cover Index (IC). Structural variables and stand composition were used to predict fire probability according to binary logistic modelling. Only four structural variables and stand composition provided significant results, the latter being the most important variable for explaining fire probability. These models were used to predict fire probability for different stand types as a function of IC.
Acknowledgements
The research described in this paper was conducted within the frame of projects “PHOENIX – Forest conversion in burned areas” (contract POCI/AGR/58896/2004), “Decision support tools for integrating fire and forest management planning” (contract PTDC/AGR‐CFL/64146/2006), both funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology, by the European Project “FIRE PARADOX” (contract FP6‐018505) and by project “Recuperação de áreas ardidas” (contract 2004 09 002629 7) funded by Fundo Florestal Permanente.
