This course explores the role of fire as a natural disturbance in ecosystems. It introduces the concept of a fire regime and its influence on the type and distribution of organisms that occur in fire prone ecosystems. It also looks at some of the adaptations of plants that have evolved in these ecosystems and how animals either avoid or exploit the consequences of fire as a natural disturbance. Finally it examines how fire can increase biodiversity by generating a mosaic of habitats within an ecosystem and briefly addresses some of the consequences of climate change and global warming on the intensity and frequency of fires.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 Fire as a natural disturbance
- 1 Fire as a natural disturbance
- 1.1 The effects of fire on an ecosystem
- 1.2 Fire dependant ecosystems
- 1.3 Fire regimes
- 1.4 Fire severity
- 1.5 Fire frequency
- 2 Adaptation of plants in fire-prone ecosystems
- 2 Adaptation of plants in fire-prone ecosystems
- 2.1 Thick bark
- 2.2 Sprouting from insulated buds
- 2.3 Fire-stimulated seed release
- 2.4 Fire-stimulated seed germination from seed banks
- 2.5 Fire-stimulated flowering
- 3 The response of animals to fire
- 3 The response of animals to fire
- 3.1 Avoiding fire
- 3.2 Benefitting from fire
- 3.3 Morphological traits for detecting fire
- 4 Fire, habitat complexity and biodiversity
- 4 Fire, habitat complexity and biodiversity
- 4.1 Fire and ecological succession
- 4.2 The intermediate disturbance hypothesis
- 4.3 The pyrodiversity-biodiversity hypothesis
- 5 Climate change and fire ecology
- 5 Climate change and fire ecology
- Conclusion
- Glossary
- References
- Acknowledgements
Tags
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Reviews
5.0 rating, based on 1 Class Central review
4.7 rating at OpenLearn based on 12 ratings
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The fire ecology course was exceptionally informative and engaging. I gained a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between fire and ecosystems. The instructor's passion for the subject was evident in every lecture, making the material come alive. The field trips and hands-on activities further enriched my learning experience. I feel more equipped to address the complexities of fire management and conservation. Overall, this course has been a valuable and enlightening journey into the fascinating world of fire ecology and very helpful to understand climate change and its consequences.
