Abstract
Fire is a natural and healthy part of many ecosystems, and many plant species rely on it to reproduce. Some species require the actual heat and flames for their seeds to be released and sprout. Other species rely on fire to burn off dried needles and leaves on the ground as well as many of the shrubs and small trees. This opens up the forest and allows more space and light for small plants and trees. While fire is a good thing for many plants and ecosystems, this is not the case everywhere. In areas that get high amounts of rain, ecosystems are not adapted to fire. Human-caused fires in these places can be devastating to the plants there. It is the job of fire managers and ecologists to manage wildfires, make decisions about fire suppression, and decide if additional fires are needed in key ecosystems.
Highlights
Fire is a natural and healthy part of many ecosystems, and many plant species rely on it to reproduce
Other species rely on fire to burn o dried needles and leaves on the ground as well as many of the shrubs and small trees
This opens up the forest and allows more space and light for small plants and trees
Summary
We have all seen images of raging forest fires that leave scorched bare ground and trees blackened like charcoal. Many people do not realize, that fire is an important natural process in a variety of forests. Some ecosystems require fire to remain healthy, and the plants and animals that inhabit these places are adapted to periodic burns [ ]. New trees and plants grow in the area that burned. This means people put out all forest fires as quickly as possible. Many of the problems that we see with large, intense wildfires today are the result of years of fire suppression. In the absence of fire, fuel can build up Fuel can include both living vegetation, such as shrubs and mosses, as well as dead trees that are still standing or have already fallen. Scientists see the important role that fire plays
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