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Type: Journal Article
Author(s): Sonali Saha
Publication Date: 2002

Components of anthropogenic fire regime are described in a central Indian deciduous forest managed by the Gond tribals of Mendha in Gadchirolli District of Maharashtra. Characteristics such as fire intensity, flame height and fire residence time were used to describe the anthropogenic fire regime. The study was conducted over three consecutive years -- 1999, 2000 and 2001. The study plots were established in 4 ha of a forest patch in the reserve forests managed by the Gond tribals. Fires occurred in March each year, though the exact dates varied during different years. Leaf litter formed an important component of the fuel-load, which increased from February until April; 75% of leaf shedding completed by late March. Fuel-load showed a significant increase with time during 1999 and 2000. In 2001, leaf litter was completely shed by March and fires occurred earlier due to early retreat of monsoons and lower-than-average rainfall in 2000. Spatial variation in the soil surface temperatures was attained during the fires, with coefficient of variation equalling, 19, 13.38 and 20% in March 1999, 2000 and 2001 respectively. The sample points attained temperatures ranging from 45 to 510°C. The mean flame height ranged from 55 to 60 cm. The median fire residence time experienced by a tree juvenile (< 1.5 m height) was 12 s, ranging from no exposure to 35 s exposure. The fire-return interval was one year. The fire regime can be summarized as low intensity ground fires affecting tree juveniles < 75 cm in height.

Online Links
Citation: Saha, S. 2002. Anthropogenic fire regime in a deciduous forest of central India. Current Science, v. 82, no. 9, p. 1144-1147. http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/may102002/1144.pdf.

Cataloging Information

Topics:
Regions:
Keywords:
  • Asia
  • deciduous forests
  • fire frequency
  • fire intensity
  • fire management
  • fire regimes
  • flame length
  • forest management
  • fuel loading
  • human caused fires
  • India
  • litter
  • season of fire
  • soil temperature
Tall Timbers Record Number: 29340Location Status: Not in fileCall Number: AvailableAbstract Status: Fair use, Okay, Reproduced by permission
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 52266

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.