Fuel characteristics of arctic plant species and simulated plant community flammability by Rothermel's model

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Botany
• Main Authors: Sylvester, T. W., Wein, Ross W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1981
• Subjects: Plant Science; Arctic; Mackenzie Delta; Empetrum nigrum; Eriophorum; Tundra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b81-125; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b81-125

The relative fuel-potentials of 12 northern tundra and forest–tundra ground species of the Mackenzie delta area were evaluated from measured fuel characteristics by simulating a test fire with the Rothermel (1972) fire behavior model. The relative importance of the fuel parameters were in decreasing order: moisture content, biomass, fineness (surface/volume ratio), packing ratio, silica-free ash content, and caloric content. The fuel-potential ratings of the vascular species and of the communities were differentiated primarily by their leaf characteristics. Dead leaves of Calamagrostis canadensis and Eriophorum vaginatum constituted the most flammable fuels measured. Evergreen Ledum palustre and Empetrum nigrum were clearly differentiated from the live vascular species by higher flammability ratings. Of the cryptogam fuels, Cladonia-type lichens were rated intermediate between the above evergreen ericoids and the deciduous woody species (Betula glandulosa, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix glauca), while Sphagnum sp. was rated comparable to the latter groups. Epilobium angustifolium received the lowest ratings of all species.Subject to the limitations with respect to ether-extractive contents, the relative fuel potential of tundra and forest–tundra plant communities can be rated on measured fuel characteristics, community composition, and the criteria of the Rothermel model. Possible applications of this study were raised, particularly the use of relatively nonflammable plants in land management.