ES_21_2 Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Cuevas de Caballero (Artenara) 2007 W.P Examples of prescribed burning and its effects UL-UFF

Plot Description Town: Artenara. Gran Canaria Place: Cuevas de Caballero Area: 35 ha General slope: 30% Use: This zone was former used by shepherds. At present it is a public property and wayfarers visit her. They exist a Cuevas (caves) that they give the name. Objectives: 1.Research 2.Wildfire Prevention (diminishing the fuel load and change the forest structure).

Plot Description Vegetation structure: Mixed reforested stand of native Canary Islands pine (Pinus canariensis) and introduced Pinus radiata species. Exist a vigorous shrub (Telline microphylla, Adenocarpus foliolosus,...)

Plot Situation

MOTIVATION Wildland fires are of major ecological importance in Pinus canariensis stands in the Canary Islands. P. canariensis reveals different fire adaptations (resprouting, serotinous conus, hard-coated seeds). During the 50s and 60s large areas of the island were reforested with P. canariensis, P. pinea and P. halepensis, lacking of a management in the last years. High flammable biomass is getting accumulated, and this increases the risk of high intensity wildland fires. To prevent wildfires, a program of prescribed fire has been programmed during the period in the island of Gran Canaria. Low and high intensity prescribed burning has been planned in an experimental area of Gran Canaria. The main objective of the prescribe burning in to change the structure of vegetation promoting natural regeneration. Favoring a patchy structure of the stand will become the stand more similar to a natural one while increasing the species richness (due to the environmental heterogeneity) and enhancing germination of P. canariensis. We are evaluating in these plots (low, high intensity and control) the species composition, regeneration, structure and spatial distribution, We are also assessing the seed bank. The results will reveal the importance of fire in the ecology of these pine stand and will help to develop management programs to better protect and restore the Canary Islands pine forests.

Prescription: Weather and fuel conditions in the burning day to have the wished effects VariableLowWishedHigh Temperature (ºC)51526 Air Relative Humidity (%) Mid flame Wind speed (km/h) Soil moisture h fuel moisture (%) and 100 h, Live herbaceous, Live woody and humus moisture71015 Rate of spread (km/h)0,10,52,0 Flame length (m)0,30,51,5 Fire type (1 = heat, 2 = rear, 3 = flank, 4 = circle) 1, 2, 3 PRESCRIPTION WINDOW (summary)

Execution Plot preparation: Previously cut of the bushes is realized and pruning the trees. The fuel remains dry in the soil of the plot. In other plots (control) not even cut and pruning. In all samplings are realized. There is realized prescribed burning of high and low intensity changing the ignition pattern of backfire, points, strips, flanks, to head. During the prescribed burning the meterological and fire behavior parameters are registered. We are evaluating in these plots (low, high intensity and control) the species composition, regeneration, structure and spatial distribution, We are also assessing the seed bank.

Execution The ignition pattern who were in use were different. According to the flame intensity that is wanted. In the photos a sequence of a pattern can be seen by striping, and to the right, a pattern by flanks.

Effects on the invertebrate community In this burns scientific studies are realized. Prescribe fire has an effect on the upper ground layer that can have consequences on the invertebrate community. The study (García-Domínguez et al. 2007) is to determine which are the effects of prescribe burning in the invertebrate community four month after it. Not find significant differences in amount, richness and composition between treatments. Only some differences in biodiversity where found. However, litter fall and vegetation recolonization takes less than a year to recreate the previous situation. García-Domínguez C., de Nascimento L., Fernández S. & Arévalo J.R. (2007). Prescribe burning effects in the invertebrate community of a pine forest plantation. 92nd Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA). San José, California.

Sequence Initial situation During prescribed burning 1 day later Five month later

Landscape effects in the time The prescribed burning of high intensity generates landscape and visual effects more important in the first moment.

The study of the prescribed burning effects in the ecosystems is very important. Both the managers and the society in general ask for this type of information. Beside realizing these studies it is necessary to publicize them by means of the diffusion in the mass media. The participation of the university (University of Lleida, University of La Laguna,...) makes this tool more robust and makes understand to the society the role of the fire in the ecosystems. Prescribed Burning Research Site