Fire science for rainforests.

COCHRANE, M. Fire science for rainforests. Nature, v. 421, n. 6926, p. 913-919, 2003.

Abstract

Forest firest are growing in size and frequency across the tropics. Continually eroding fragmented forest edges, they are unintended ecological disturbances that transcend deforestation to degrade vast regions of standing forest, diminishing ecosystem services and the economic potential of these natural resources. Affecting the health of millions, net fores fire emissions may have released carbon equivalent to 41% of worldwide fossil fuel use in 1997-98. Episodically more severe during El Nino events, pan-tropical forest fires will increase as more damaged, less fire-resistant, forest cover the landscape. Here we discuss the current state of tropical fire science and make recommendations for advancement.