Global assessment and mapping of ecological vulnerability to wildfires

Abstract. Fire is a natural phenomenon that has played critical role in transforming the environment and maintaining biodiversity at global scale. However, plants some habitats have not developed strategies for recovery from fire or adapted to changes taking place their regimes. Maps showing ecological vulnerability fires could contribute environmental management policies face of change scenarios. The main objective this study assess map on To end, we created value post-fire regeneration delay indices basis existing databases. Two were identified: biological distinction conservation status. For index, various factors taken into account, including type regime, increase frequency intensity forest fires, potential soil erosion they can cause. These combined by means qualitative cross-tabulation create new index evaluating fire. results showed be reduced as much 50 % due perturbation poorly ecosystems. terrestrial biomes most affected are tropical subtropical moist broadleaf forest, tundra, mangroves, coniferous forests, dry forests.