FIRE IN TROPICAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS

Abstract

Fire in the tropics has a long history in which frequent wide-spread burning has profoundly altered physical and cultural environments. A vast and diverse literature pertaining to fire and its effects in tropical forests and grasslands was evaluated, classified and presented in a selected bibliography. Emphasis is on the relation of fire to climate, natural vegetation, soils, cultural origins, technological level and way of life and other significant factors of the total environment. The incidence and frequency of occurrence of fire are examined in terms of the geographic distribution of passive and active environmental characteristics. The relationship of burning to climate and natural vegetation is shown on maps which represent a first attempt to depict the geographic distribution of fire in the tropics. Potential combustibility and the implications of fire to military operations are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0643179

Entities

People

  • Howard F. Hirt
  • Robert B. Batchelder

Organizations

  • Boston University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Climate Change
  • Combustion
  • Environmental Protection
  • Forests
  • Geographic Distribution
  • Geographic Regions
  • Geography
  • Habitats
  • Meteorology
  • Plants
  • Ridges
  • Soil Science
  • Terrain
  • Topography

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Fire Suppression Systems Design.
  • Theoretical Analysis.
  • Urban Planning and Geography.