Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Quantification of Surface Fuel Parameter in Selected Ecosystems in the Netherlands and England

Lauren R. Lara, Brian P. Oswald*, Kathryn R. Kidd, Jason Grogan

Estimation of biomass fuel loading is integral to reduce the impact or prevention of wildfires which pose a significant
risk to both human lives and property. Predictive models for three major fuel categories (litter/duff, shrub and
downed woody material) were developed for fuel parameters that contribute to surface fire behaviors in some of
the more fire-prone areas on the Netherlands. Litter was defined as recently dead foliage and twigs on the ground,
while duff is older, more decomposed material. Reduction of the number of potential parameters to measure should
streamline the process of fuel load estimation. Certain parameters contributed more to predicting fuel loads than
others in the litter/duff (O-horizon) and shrub categories, as the depth of the O-horizon and the O-horizon bulk
density were the most significant variables, resulting in high (R2=96) accuracy. For shrub dominated areas such
as those where heather (Calluna vulgaris) is found, total height and basal diameter of the shrubs were the major
contributing parameters, but the resulting model had a very low R2, suggesting a need to revisit these communities
and assess the potential fuels in another way, possibly by are, and not individual plant. Downed woody material
differed between forest types. These results can assist land managers in this region in more accurate fuel estimation,
therefore creating a more proactive approach to understanding and preventing the risks of wildfire events.

Published Date: 2024-12-03; Received Date: 2024-11-01