Modelling Mediterranean Landscape Succession-Disturbance Dynamics: A Landscape Fire-Succession Model

January 1, 2009 - James Millington; John Wainwright; George L. W. Perry; Raul Romero-Calcerrada; Bruce D. Malamud

Journal or Book Title: Environmental Modelling & Software

Keywords: Landscape fire-succession model; Wildfire regime; Succession-disturbance dynamics; Mediterranean landscape; Pattern-oriented modelling

Volume/Issue: 24

Page Number(s): 1196-1208

Year Published: 2009

We present a spatially explicit Landscape Fire-Succession Model (LFSM) developed to represent Mediterranean Basin landscapes and capable of integrating modules and functions that explicitly represent
human activity. Plant-functional types are used to represent spatial and temporal competition for
resources (water and light) in a rule-based modelling framework. Vegetation dynamics are represented
using a rule-based community-level modelling approach that considers multiple succession pathways
and vegetation climax states. Wildfire behaviour is represented using a cellular-automata model of fire
spread that accounts for land-cover flammability, slope, wind and vegetation moisture. Results show that
wildfire spread parameters have the greatest influence on two aspects of the model: land-cover change
and the wildfire regime. This sensitivity highlights the importance of accurately parameterising this type
of grid-based model for representing landscape-level processes. We use a pattern-oriented modelling
approach in conjunction with wildfire power-law frequency-area scaling exponent b to calibrate the
model. Parameters describing the role of soil moisture on vegetation dynamics are also found to
significantly influence land-cover change. Recent improvements in understanding the role of soil
moisture and wildfire fuel loads at the landscape-level will drive advances in Mediterranean LFSMs.

DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2009.03.013

Type of Publication: Journal Article

You Might Also Be Interested In

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Tag List
  • center for systems integration and sustainability,
  • landscape fire-succession model,
  • mediterranean landscape,
  • pattern-oriented modelling,
  • succession-disturbance dynamics,
  • wildfire regime
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).