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Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Forest Fire Risk and Danger Using LANDSAT Imagery

Computing fire danger and fire risk on a spatio-temporal scale is of crucial importance in fire management planning, and in the simulation of fire growth and development across a landscape. However, due to the complex nature of forests, fire risk and danger potential maps are considered one of the most difficult thematic layers to build up. Remote sensing and digital terrain data have been introduced for efficient discrete classification of fire risk and fire danger potential. In this study, two time-series data of Landsat imagery were used for determining spatio-temporal change of fire risk and danger potential in Korudag forest planning unit in northwestern Turkey. The method comprised the following two steps: (1) creation of indices of the factors influencing fire risk and danger; (2) evaluation of spatio-temporal changes in fire risk and danger of given areas using remote sensing as a quick and inexpensive means and determining the pace of forest cover change. Fire risk and danger potential indices were based on species composition, stand crown closure, stand development stage, insolation, slope and, proximity of agricultural lands to forest and distance from settlement areas. Using the indices generated, fire risk and danger maps were produced for the years 1987 and 2000. Spatio-temporal analyses were then realized based on the maps produced. Results obtained from the study showed that the use of Landsat imagery provided a valuable characterization and mapping of vegetation structure and type with overall classification accuracy higher than 83%.

Estimating crown fuel loading for calabrian pine and Anatolian black pine

Fuels are of great importance in fire behaviour prediction. This paper deals with the prediction of aboveground foliage and branch biomass of calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) and Anatolian black pine (P. nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. nigra var. caramanica (Loudon) Rehder). The study was based on a total of 418 destructively sampled calabrian and black pine trees and saplings. As a result of the analyses, several regression equations were developed for predicting foliage, fine branch (<0.6 cm), medium branch (0.6–1.0 cm), active fuels (foliage + fine branch), thick branch (1.0–2.5 cm), and total fuel loading. The relationships between fuel biomass and tree properties were determined by multiple linear regressions, considering tree properties as the independent variables, and foliage, branch, active fuel and total biomass as the dependent variables. Tree properties included tree height, crown length, crown width, diameter at breast height and root collar diameter. Results indicated that foliage, branch and total biomass could all be accurately predicted based on the readily measurable and/or predictable tree characteristics. Of the fuel characteristics, crown length, crown width, and height were the three most significant predictors of fuel biomass. The results of this study will not only contribute to the prediction of fire behaviour, but will also be of invaluable use in other forestry disciplines.

Fire behavior in Mediterranean shrub species (Maquis)

The prediction of fire behavior in fire prone ecosystems is of vital importance in all phases of fire management including fire prevention, presuppression, suppression and fire use. This paper deals with an experimental burning exercise conducted in the Mediterranean region in Turkey. A series of 18 experimental fires were carried out in tall maquis fuels in Asar District, Antalya, southwestern Turkey. The site was selected for its structural homogeneity. But, there was an apparent variation in the fuel loadings in different plots. Weather conditions were within reasonable ranges during the burns. Wind speed ranged from 4.8 to 14.4 km h-1, relative humidity from 16 to 76% and air temperature from 23.7 to 36°C. Of the fire behavior characteristics, rate of spread ranged from 0.38 to 7.35 m min-1, fuel consumption from 1.57 to 3.05 kg m-2, and fire intensity from 188.72 to 5906.48 kW m-1. Rate of spread was related to wind speed, relative humidity, moisture content of live fuels and vegetation cover. Fuel consumption was related to fuel loading and wind speed, and fire intensity was related to wind speed, moisture contents of live fuels and mean vegetation height and vegetation cover. Results obtained in this study should be invaluable in fire management planning.

CANOPY FUEL CHARACTERISTICS AND FUEL LOAD IN YOUNG BLACK PINE TREES

ABSTRACT Crown structure and fuel loading are important factors affecting crown fire occurrence and behavior. This paper reports on the canopy fuel characteristics and regression models to determine Canopy Fuel Loading (CFL) of young black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) trees. Equations were based on the data from 11 destructively sampled black pine plantation trees. This data was used to develop best equations fit with ordinary least squares procedures that estimate available and total canopy fuel load for young black pine plantation trees. Model fits for available and total canopy fuel load were generally good. Results indicated that available and total canopy fuel load could be easily predicted using diameter at breast height (D), variable. The resulting equations were able to account for 94% of the observed variation in the total canopy fuel load. Average tree canopy fuel load was 8.9 kg. On average 41% of canopy fuel load was allocated to the needle, 13% to the fine branch, 20% to the medium branch, 18% to thick branch and 8% to the very thick branch. Vertical distribution of canopy fuels was variable. Most foliage was found on the main branches of the medium portion of the canopy. The lower and upper portions of the crown had relatively less foliage. The results of the study allowed also for the comparisons of linear and nonlinear equations of biomass estimation commonly used in literature.

Visibility analysis of fire lookout towers in the Boyabat State Forest Enterprise in Turkey

For a successful fire suppression, it is essential to detect and intervene forest fires as early as possible. Fire lookout towers are crucial assets in detecting forest fires, in addition to other technological advancements. In this study, we performed a visibility analysis on a network of fire lookout towers currently operating in a relatively fire-prone region in Turkey’s Western Black Sea region. Some of these towers had not been functioning properly; it was proposed that these be taken out of the grid and replaced with new ones. The percentage of visible areas under the current network of fire lookout towers was 73%; it could rise to 81% with the addition of newly proposed towers. This study was the first research to conduct a visibility analysis of current and newly proposed fire lookout towers in the Western Black Sea region and focus on its forest fire problem.

An integrated approach for mapping fire suppression difficulty in three different ecosystems of Eastern Europe

Abstract Increased fire activity, related both to human activities and to climate change, necessitates effective fire prevention and suppression strategies. The main purpose of this paper is to model and map fire suppression difficulty using common approaches in three different ecosystems in Eastern Europe by employing very high-resolution satellite imagery and landscape fire behaviour modelling. The integrated approach could allow fire managers to organize prevention and management of firefighting activities more efficiently by implementing both simple and easy-to-use risk and operational fire suppression difficulty indices. The development of cross-border common methodological approaches could foster cooperation between national authorities that would also maximize the efficiency of firefighting procedures.

Determination of pumper truck intervention ratios in zones with high fire potential by using geographical information system

Abstract Fighting forest fires not only depends on the forest type, topography, and weather conditions, but is also closely related to the technical properties of fire-fighting equipment. Firefighting is an important part of fire management planning. However, because of the complex nature of forests, creating thematic layers to generate potential fire risk maps is difficult. The use of remote sensing data has become an efficient method for the discrete classification of potential fire risks. The study was located in the Central District of the Kastamonu Regional Forest Directorate, covering an area of 24,320 ha, 15,685 ha of which is forested. On the basis of stand age, crown closure, and tree species, the sizes and distributions of potential fire risk zones within the study area were determined using high-resolution GeoEye satellite imagery and geographical information system data. The status of pumper truck intervention in zones with high fire risk and the sufficiency of existing forest roads within an existing forest network were discussed based on combustible matter characteristics. Pumper truck intervention was 83% for high-risk zones, 79% for medium-risk zones, and 78% for low-risk zones. A pumper truck intervention area map along existing roads was also created.

Biodiversity of Gavurdag Wildlife Development Area

Natural resources are depleting due to detrimental effects of human interventations. The preservation and rehablitation of these areas are critical. It is very important to identify existing floristic and faunistic elements of these sites for management and future studies. The main purpose of these strategies is to protect and develop the target species and other resource values of the protected area. Besides this, it is also aimed to protect the floristic and faunistic value of the conservation area, in other words protecting the biodiversity. It is aimed to investigate and document the floristic and faunistic values in Gavurdag Wildlife Development Area in this study. According to floristic results, 618 plant taxa were found and 97 of them were detected as endemic in the study field (Endemism ratio: 15.7%). Moreover, when the IUCN categories are examined; 7 species are found to be in En category and 10 species are found to be in the Vu category. In addition, 15 mammal and 64 bird species were detected with faunal research in the field.

Threat Analysis and Proposed Solutions for Elekdag Wildlife Development Area

Natural Wildlife Development Area is a protection status declared in accordance with the Land Hunting Act No. 4915. Within this scope, there are 80 Wildlife Development Areas in our country. The aim of this study was to observe possible threats in the Elekdag wildlife development area and to suggest solutionsfor the area. Elekdag Wildlife Development Area is located in Kastamonu province within the boundaries of Tasköprü county. The administrative responsibility of Elekdag Wildlife Development Area belongs to the General Directorate of National Parks and Nature Conservation, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kastamonu Provincial Environment and Forestry Directorate. As a result of the study, it was found that the wildlife habitats for deer populations (target species) and water resources in the area at risk. The identification of the risks on habitats and biological resources and proposed solutions have great importance on ecosystem integrity of the protected area. Therefore, we proposed some solutions to eliminate these risks. The most important factor is the arranging on-site management to ensure sustainable protection-use balance.

YANGIN HASSASİYET DERECESİNİN BELİRLENMESİ: TAŞKÖPRÜ ORMAN İŞLETME MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ ÖRNEĞİ

In this study, fire sensitivity degree in Taskopru State Forest Enterprise was evaluated. Fire sensitivity degree was determined both at the forest enterprise and conservancy level. So that, diffrences, if any, between the fire sensitivity degrees at forest enterprise and conservancy levels could be established. Data used in this study was derived from fire reports. Differences in fire sensitivity degrees were evident between forest conservancy units. Some districts (Kirkcam, Bayam, Ciftlik) had high fire sensitivity degrees and some (Dikmen) low. Differences in fire sensitivity degrees were caused fuel properties and fire weather conditions. Determination of fire sensitivity in conservancy level can contribute to more effective and economical source utilization.