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Wiley, Global Change Biology, 1(21), p. 62-81, 2014

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12686

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Fire in Australian savannas: from leaf to landscape

Journal article published in 2014 by Jason Beringer ORCID, Lindsay B. Hutley ORCID, David Abramson, Stefan K. Arndt ORCID, Peter Briggs ORCID, Mila Bristow, Josep G. Canadell, Lucas A. Cernusak, Derek Eamus, Andrew C. Edwards, Bradley J. Evans, Benedikt Fest, Klaus Goergen, Samantha P. Grover, Jorg Hacker and other authors.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Savanna ecosystems comprise 22% of the global terrestrial surface and 25% of Australia (almost 1.9 million km2) and provide significant ecosystem services through carbon and water cycles and the maintenance of biodiversity. The current structure, composition and distribution of Australian savannas have co-evolved with fire, yet remain driven by the dynamic constraints of their bioclimatic niche. Fire in Australian savannas influences both the biophysical and biogeochemical processes at multiple scales from leaf to landscape. Here we present the latest emission estimates from Australian savanna biomass burning and their contribution to global greenhouse gas budgets. We then review our understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystem function and local surface water and heat balances, which in turn influence regional climate. We show how savanna fires are coupled to the global climate through the carbon cycle and fire regimes. We present new research that climate change is likely to alter the structure and function of savannas through shifts in moisture availability and increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), in turn altering fire regimes with further feedbacks to climate. We explore opportunities to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from savanna ecosystems through changes in savanna fire management.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.