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Patterns of Fire Occurrence Across a Climatic Gradient and Its Relationship to Meteorological Variables in Spain

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Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 117))

Abstract

The relationships between climate and fire are manifold. Climate controls primary productivity and vegetation type (Lieth and Whittaker, 1975; Woodward, 1986), and, through that, fuel quality, distribution, and accumulation rate (Mutch, 1970; Philpot, 1977; Olson, 1981; Rundel, 1981). The prevailing climate of a given area is characterized by specific values of temperature, precipitation, moisture deficit and wind, among other characteristics, which, in turn, determine the probability of fire ignition and spread (Rothermel, 1983). Therefore, changes in climate are likely to induce variations in the most critical biotic and abiotic factors that control the fire regime.

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Vázquez, A., Moreno, J.M. (1995). Patterns of Fire Occurrence Across a Climatic Gradient and Its Relationship to Meteorological Variables in Spain. In: Moreno, J.M., Oechel, W.C. (eds) Global Change and Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems. Ecological Studies, vol 117. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4186-7_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4186-7_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8690-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-4186-7

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