Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity Elements
The integration of geodiversity elements and contexts into fire management frameworks remains limited due to a lack of actionable tools for assessing geosite sensitivity. This study addresses this gap by developing and testing a mechanistic model to evaluate soil and lithological fire sensitivity, u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Fire |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/3/101 |
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| author | Ruby O. Hoyland Melinda T. McHenry |
| author_facet | Ruby O. Hoyland Melinda T. McHenry |
| author_sort | Ruby O. Hoyland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The integration of geodiversity elements and contexts into fire management frameworks remains limited due to a lack of actionable tools for assessing geosite sensitivity. This study addresses this gap by developing and testing a mechanistic model to evaluate soil and lithological fire sensitivity, using a geodiversity database of Tasmanian geosites at various temperature thresholds. Initial results indicate the utility of the approach to distinguish between sensitive and robust geosites, providing a simple delineation between the relative sensitivities of in situ elements. A subsequent iterative approach applied modelled outputs to an existing geosite database, giving coarse indicators of sites with a propensity to be modified by fire. With static inventory, this approach allows decision-makers to develop new risk parameters for the management of burns and wildfires. Geographically complex environments have led to misalignments between geosite boundaries and broader processes, data inaccessibility for remote or offshore sites, and fire as both a destructive and formative agent; these must all be resolved. Future work should consider the necessity of incorporating values, recovery trajectories, and hydrological processes into fire sensitivity assessments. The study concludes with recommendations for refining the model to enhance its utility for fire managers, ultimately contributing to the integration of geodiversity into fire management strategies and geoconservation planning. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d467d29f83724ef3968c572b7e64afe6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2571-6255 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fire |
| spelling | doaj-art-d467d29f83724ef3968c572b7e64afe62025-08-20T02:42:32ZengMDPI AGFire2571-62552025-02-018310110.3390/fire8030101Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity ElementsRuby O. Hoyland0Melinda T. McHenry1School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS 7001, AustraliaSchool of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS 7001, AustraliaThe integration of geodiversity elements and contexts into fire management frameworks remains limited due to a lack of actionable tools for assessing geosite sensitivity. This study addresses this gap by developing and testing a mechanistic model to evaluate soil and lithological fire sensitivity, using a geodiversity database of Tasmanian geosites at various temperature thresholds. Initial results indicate the utility of the approach to distinguish between sensitive and robust geosites, providing a simple delineation between the relative sensitivities of in situ elements. A subsequent iterative approach applied modelled outputs to an existing geosite database, giving coarse indicators of sites with a propensity to be modified by fire. With static inventory, this approach allows decision-makers to develop new risk parameters for the management of burns and wildfires. Geographically complex environments have led to misalignments between geosite boundaries and broader processes, data inaccessibility for remote or offshore sites, and fire as both a destructive and formative agent; these must all be resolved. Future work should consider the necessity of incorporating values, recovery trajectories, and hydrological processes into fire sensitivity assessments. The study concludes with recommendations for refining the model to enhance its utility for fire managers, ultimately contributing to the integration of geodiversity into fire management strategies and geoconservation planning.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/3/101geoheritagegeositegeoconservationvulnerabilitysensitivityrisk |
| spellingShingle | Ruby O. Hoyland Melinda T. McHenry Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity Elements Fire geoheritage geosite geoconservation vulnerability sensitivity risk |
| title | Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity Elements |
| title_full | Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity Elements |
| title_fullStr | Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity Elements |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity Elements |
| title_short | Modelling Relative Fire Sensitivity for Geodiversity Elements |
| title_sort | modelling relative fire sensitivity for geodiversity elements |
| topic | geoheritage geosite geoconservation vulnerability sensitivity risk |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/3/101 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rubyohoyland modellingrelativefiresensitivityforgeodiversityelements AT melindatmchenry modellingrelativefiresensitivityforgeodiversityelements |