Abstract
Aim of study: The objectives of this work were to determine which morphological and fire severity variables may help explain the mortality of adult Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham., to model the probability of this species after being affected by crown fire, and to obtain more elements to classify the sacred fir in terms of fire resistance. This type of studies are relevant to estimate the impact of crown fires on the climax forests that forms this species.Area of study: The burned forest was located in the southern Mexico City, borough.Material and methods: Morphological variables and fire severity indicators were collected for 335 Abies religiosa trees burned by a mixed severity fire. Logistic regression was used to analyze data and develop models that best explained tree mortality.Main results: Survival was 26.9%. The models for height (p≤0.0001), diameter at breast height (p=0.0082), crown length (p≤0.0001) and crown base height (p≤0.0001) were significant, with a negative relationship between each one of these variables and probability of mortality. The significant severity variables were lethal scorch height (p≤0.0001) and crown kill (p≤ 0.0001), which have a direct relationship with probability of mortality.Highlights: This species is moderately fire-resistant. Crown kill ≥ 70% markedly increases mortality. Silvicultural activities such as pruning, thinning and fuel management can reduce the risk of crown fires.
Highlights
Abies religiosa (Kunth) forms the climax vegetation in many temperate areas in Mexico
Aim of study: The objectives of this work were to determine which morphological and fire severity variables may help explain the mortality of adult Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham., to model the probability of this species after being affected by crown fire, and to obtain more elements to classify the sacred fir in terms of fire resistance
For the period 1996-2006, CORENA (2012) reports annual averages of 1,118 fires and 2,057 ha burned in the forests of the Distrito Federal. These forests are in the wildland urban interface, which places them at increased risk of burning (Rodríguez-Trejo, 2008)
Summary
Abies religiosa (Kunth) (sacred fir) forms the climax vegetation in many temperate areas in Mexico. For the period 1996-2006, CORENA (2012) reports annual averages of 1,118 fires and 2,057 ha burned in the forests of the Distrito Federal. These forests are in the wildland urban interface, which places them at increased risk of burning (Rodríguez-Trejo, 2008). The sacred fir forests in El Chico National Park, Hidalgo, and in the Desierto de los Leones Park, in Mexico City, had crown fires over hundreds of hectares. In 2011, another extreme forest fire year for the country, the sacred fir forests in the Valley of Mexico once again experienced crown fires.
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