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Type: Journal Article
Author(s): Edward A. Johnson; Charles E. Van Wagner
Publication Date: 1985

The objective of this paper is to explain the distributions, assumptions, interpretations, and relationships of the two compatible, stochastic models of fire history: the negative exponential and the Weibull. For each model the 'fire interval' and 'time-since-fire' distributions are given. Both models apply to homogenous stationary stochastic processes. The negative exponential states that the instantaneous fire hazard rate is constant for all stand ages. The Weibull states that the instantaneous fire hazard rate increases with stand age when the shape parameter is > 1 (the negative exponential is a special case of the Weibull when shape = 1). An empirical method is given for separating from an observed fire history distribution, the pre- and post-fire suppression distributions. Four relationships are derived from the models and defined per study region (per stand): (i) the fire cycle (average fire interval), (ii) the annual percent burned are (fire frequency), (iii) the average age of the vegetation (average prospective life-time), and (iv) the renewal rate.© National Research Council of Canada, NRC Research Press. Abstract reproduced by permission.

Online Links
Citation: Johnson, E. A., and C. E. Van Wagner. 1985. The theory and use of two fire history models. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, v. 15, no. 1, p. 214-220.

Cataloging Information

Regions:
Alaska    California    Eastern    Great Basin    Hawaii    Northern Rockies    Northwest    Rocky Mountain    Southern    Southwest    National
Keywords:
  • age classes
  • Canada
  • coniferous forests
  • distribution
  • fire frequency
  • fire management
  • fire regimes
  • fire size
  • fire suppression
  • histories
  • pine forests
  • plant growth
  • post fire recovery
  • statistical analysis
Tall Timbers Record Number: 7612Location Status: In-fileCall Number: Journals-CAbstract Status: Fair use, Okay, Reproduced by permission
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 33458

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by Tall Timbers and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of Tall Timbers.