Peat surface compression reduces smouldering fire potential as a novel fuel treatment for boreal peatlands
Publication: Canadian Journal of Forest Research
22 November 2021
Abstract
The wildfire regime in Canada’s boreal region is changing; extended fire seasons are characterized by more frequent large fires (≥200 ha) burning greater areas of land, whilst climate-mediated drying is increasing the vulnerability of peatlands to deep burning. Proactive management strategies, such as fuel modification treatments, are necessary to reduce fire danger at the wildland–human interface (WHI). Novel approaches to fuel management are especially needed in peatlands where deep smouldering combustion is a challenge to suppression efforts and releases harmful emissions. Here, we integrate surface compression within conventional stand treatments to examine the potential for reducing smouldering of near-surface moss and peat. A linear model (adj. R2 = 0.62, p = 2.2e−16) revealed that ground cover (F[2,101] = 60.97, p < 0.001) and compression (F[1,101] = 56.46, p < 0.001) had the greatest effects on smouldering potential, while stand treatment did not have a significant effect (F[3,101] = 0.44, p = 0.727). On average, compressed Sphagnum and feather moss plots showed 57.1% and 58.7% lower smouldering potential, respectively, when compared to uncompressed analogs. While practical evaluation is warranted to better understand the evolving effectiveness of this strategy, these findings demonstrate that a compression treatment can be successfully incorporated within both managed and unmanaged peatlands to reduce fire danger at the WHI.
Résumé
Le régime des feux de forêt dans la zone boréale canadienne subit des changements : les saisons des feux qui se prolongent sont caractérisées par la fréquence plus élevée de grands feux (≥ 200 ha) qui brûlent de plus grandes superficies du territoire, tandis que l’assèchement dû au climat augmente la vulnérabilité des tourbières à la combustion en profondeur. Des stratégies proactives d’aménagement, telles que les traitements de modification des combustibles, s’imposent pour réduire les risques d’incendie à l’interface entre la forêt et la civilisation. De nouvelles approches de gestion des combustibles sont particulièrement nécessaires dans les tourbières où la combustion couvante en profondeur constitue un défi pour les efforts de suppression et produit des émissions nocives. Dans cet article, nous intégrons la compression de la surface aux traitements conventionnels du peuplement pour étudier la possibilité de réduire le feu couvant dans la mousse et la tourbe près de la surface. Un modèle linéaire (R2 raj. = 0,62, p = 2,2e−16) a montré que le couvert végétal (F[2,101] = 60,97, p < 0,001) et la compression (F[1,101] = 56,46, p < 0,001) avaient le plus d’effet sur la possibilité d’un feu couvant, alors que le traitement du peuplement n’a eu aucun effet significatif (F[3,101] = 0,44, p = 0,727). En moyenne, les parcelles comprimées de sphaigne et d’hypne avaient un potentiel de feu couvant respectivement 57,1 et 58,7 % plus faible comparativement à des parcelles similaires non comprimées. Bien qu’une évaluation pratique soit nécessaire pour comprendre comment évolue l’efficacité de cette stratégie, ces résultats démontrent qu’un traitement de compression peut être incorporé avec succès tant dans les tourbières aménagées que non aménagées pour réduire le risque d’incendie à l’interface entre la forêt et la civilisation.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
Volume 52 • Number 3 • March 2022
Pages: 396 - 405
History
Received: 25 June 2021
Accepted: 28 October 2021
Accepted manuscript online: 22 November 2021
Version of record online: 22 November 2021
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© 2021 Authors Wilkinson, Verkaik, Moore, Schroeder, and Waddington, and The Crown. Permission for reuse (free in most cases) can be obtained from copyright.com.
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This research was supported by the Boreal Water Futures project, which is funded by the Global Water Futures programme of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
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P.J. Deane, S.L. Wilkinson, G.J. Verkaik, P.A. Moore, D. Schroeder, and J.M. Waddington. 2022. Peat surface compression reduces smouldering fire potential as a novel fuel treatment for boreal peatlands. Canadian Journal of Forest Research.
52(3): 396-405. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2021-0183
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