The Role of fire in Mediterranean-type ecosystems

Fire is a significant ecological factor affecting Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Understanding how fire affects ecosystem structure and functioning is critical for designing appropriate management policies that would minimize the negative impacts of fire. The book addresses the role of fire, how it can affect indigenous plants animals, soils, and landscapes, and how it can be used for conservation of ecosystems and landscapes. Subjects include plant community dynamics after fire, the response of Chilean matorral shrubs to fire the interaction between fire intensity and plant response after fire, fire and vertebrate herbivory and animal dynamics, the effect of fire soils, fire and hydrology, spatial simulation of fires, fire management and the role of fire in ecosystem and landscape conservation. The Role of Fire in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems will be of interest to all ecologists working in Mediterranean-type environments, ecologists generally, as well as land managers and policy makers involved in fire management.