Decadal scale fire dynamics in savannas and forests of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Rajashekar, P., Krishnan, A., Varma, V., Ratnam, J., Sankaran, M. and Lehmann, C. E. R. 2025. Decadal scale fire dynamics in savannas and forests of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 34, p. WF24174. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF24174

AuthorsRajashekar, P., Krishnan, A., Varma, V., Ratnam, J., Sankaran, M. and Lehmann, C. E. R.
Abstract

Background
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) in the Western Ghats, India, contains a mosaic of savannas and forests. This landscape experiences wildfires regularly, but we lack an integrated understanding of factors driving fire regimes in the region.
Aims
To examine the effects of climate, vegetation and human activity on wildfires in the NBR.
Methods
Using remotely sensed datasets, we examine how mean annual rainfall (MAR), topographic complexity and human activity influence fires in savannas and forests of the NBR across a dry (2001-2010) and wet decade (2011-2020).
Key Results
Across both decades, savannas burned more frequently and over larger areas than forests, with human modification emerging as a key driver of fire. Burnt area and fire frequency in both habitats were higher in the wet than the dry decade, with MAR taking on greater importance than human modification in driving fire occurrence in the dry decade.
Conclusions
Savannas and forests in the NBR have contrasting fire regimes. During dry periods, these systems are fuel limited and thus MAR best describes the occurrence of fires. During wet periods when fuel is not limiting, proxies for anthropogenic ignitions best explain fire occurrence.
Implications
Climate, vegetation and humans collectively determine fire regimes in the NBR. Fire management must integrate across all these factors at the landscape scale to be effective.

KeywordsClimate; Savannah; Tropical; Fire frequency; Ignition
Year of Publication2025
JournalInternational Journal of Wildland Fire
Journal citation34, p. WF24174
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1071/WF24174
Web address (URL)https://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/WF24174
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Publisher's version
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online11 Jun 2025
Publication process dates
Accepted08 May 2025
PublisherCSIRO Publishing
ISSN1049-8001

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