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Disturbance and the boreal forest

Fire is a common disturbance in the boreal forest. Each year, large areas of the boreal forest are consumed by wildfires. Researchers have established that fire stimulates seed germination and seedling survivorship; the boreal forest quickly replaces itself following wildfire.

The role of fires at treeline, however, remains relatively unstudied. In the marginal and exposed conditions at the limits of the boreal forest fires may have very different effects than the ones that have been documented within the interior of the boreal forest. For example, the exposed conditions that follow a fire may inhibit regeneration at treeline, where the shelter (from wind and blowing ice, for example) may be critical for juvenile survival. In addition, seed may be more scarce following a fire at treeline than following a similar fire in the interior (where the burned patch is surrounded on all sides by unburned forest).

It is likely that the frequency and severity of forest fires may change as a result of future climate change at high latitudes. Warmer summer temperatures, for example, may allow fuel to dry more, and promote more frequent and/or more severe fires. The effects of such a change in fire frequency for the boreal forest, particularly at treeline, are unknown.