New book: Fire in Mediterranean Ecosystems

A new, comprehensive book on fire ecology in all five of the earth's Mediterranean ecosystems has been recently published. Jon Keeley, the leader of the CFSC's Central and Southern California regional group, is a leading author.

About the Book:

 "Exploring the role of fire in each of the five Mediterranean- type climate ecosystems, this book offers a unique view of the evolution of fire-adapted traits and the role of fire in shaping Earth’s ecosystems. Analyzing these geographically separate but ecologically convergent ecosystems provides key tools for understanding fire regime diversity and its role in the assembly and evolutionary convergence of ecosystems. Topics covered include regional patterns, the ecological role of wildfires, the evolution of species within those systems, and the ways in which societies have adapted to living in fire- prone environments. Outlining complex processes clearly and methodically, the discussion challenges the belief that climate and soils alone can explain the global distribution and assembly of plant communities.

An ideal research tool for graduates and researchers, this study provides valuable insights into fire management and the requirements for regionally tailored approaches to fire management across the globe."

- Cambridge University Press

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I. Introduction

Introduction [pdf]
 1. Mediterranean-type Climate (MTC) Ecosystems and Fire
 2. Fire and the Fire Regime Framework
 3. Fire Related Plant Traits

Part II. Regional patterns

Introduction [pdf]
 4. Fire in the Mediterranean Basin
 5. Fire in California
 6. Fire in Chile
 7. Fire in South Africa
 8. Fire in Southern Australia

Part III. Comparative Ecology, Evolution and Management

Introduction [pdf]
 9. Fire Adaptive Trait Evolution
10. Fire and the Origins of Mediterranean-type Vegetation
11. Plant Diversity and Fire
12. Alien Species and Fire
13. Fire Management of Mediterranean Landscapes
14. Climate, Fire and Geology in the Convergence of Mediterranean-type Climate Ecosystems

References [pdf]
Index

Some related papers from the same authors:

  • Keeley J.E., Pausas J.G., Rundel P.W., Bond W.J., Bradstock R.A. 2011. Fire as an evolutionary pressure shaping plant traits. Trends Plant Sci. 16(8): 406-411. [doi | pdf]
  • Pausas J.G. & Keeley J.E. 2009. A burning story: The role of fire in the history of life. BioScience 59: 593-601 [doi | pdf]
  • Pausas J.G. & Bradstock R.A. 2007. Fire persistence traits of plants along a productivity and disturbance gradient in Mediterranean shrublands of SE Australia. Global Ecology & Biogeography 16: 330-340. [doi | pdf]
  • Keeley J.E. & Rundel P.W. 2005. Fire and the Miocene expansion of C4 grasslands. Ecol. Lett. 8: 1-8. [pdf]
  • Bond W.J. & Keeley J.E. 2005. Fire as a global 'herbivore': the ecology and evolution of flammable ecosystems. Trends Ecol. Evol. 20: 387-394. [pdf]