Fire and Ecosystems focuses on a number of aspects of fire ecology. This book deals separately with both harmful and beneficial effects of fire on soils, soil organisms, animals, and plants.
This reference material elucidates the effects of fire on grasslands and considers the role of fire in temperate forests and related ecosystems. Four chapters are presented on a regional basis to highlight variations in responses, especially plant succession, to fire. The use of fire in land management is also explored.
This book will serve as an invaluable reference material to researchers, teachers, and land managers.

List of ContributorsPreface1. Introduction Text References2. Effects of Forest Fire on Soil I. Introduction II. Reasons for Burning III. Physical Effects of Burning IV. Organic Matter V. Burning and Nutrients VI. Biological Effects of Burning VII. Loss of Nutrients due to Burning VIII. Burning in Forestry Practice References3. The Effect of Fire on Soil Organisms I. Introduction II. Algae III. Bacteria IV. Actinomycetes V. Fungi VI. Soil Fauna References4. Effects of Fire on Birds and Mammals I. Introduction II. Fire and the Life of Birds and Mammals III. Fire and the Kinds of Birds and Mammals IV. Fire and the Abundance of Birds and Mammals V. Evolution of Birds and Mammals and Burnable Habitat References5. Effects of Fire on Grasslands I. Fire in the Grassland Environment II. Physical Characteristics of Grassland Fires III. Effects of Fire on Productivity IV. Effects of Fire on Vegetational Composition V. Grassland Succession VI. Discrepancies in Evaluating the Effects of Fire VII. Changes Resulting from Cessation of Fires VIII. Current and Future Uses of Fire in Grassland Management IX. Epilogue References6. Effects of Fires on Temperate Forests: North Central United States I. Introduction II. Physical Factors in Ecological Change III. Fire Adaptation in Pine Species IV. Posture Development of Other Plant Species V. Interrelationships References7. Effects of Fire on Temperate Forests: Northeastern United States I. Frequency and Type of Presettlement Fires II. Frequency and Type of Postsettlement Fires III. Fire Effects in Northeastern Types IV. Conclusion References8. Effects of Fire on Temperate Forests and Related Ecosystems: Southeastern United States I. Introduction II. Natural Fires III. Man and Fire IV. Fire and Fire Characteristics V. The Southeastern Ecosystem "Fire Regimes" VI. Coastal Plain Forests VII. Coastal Plain Pine Savannas and Grasslands VIII. The Piedmont Plateau Forest and Grasslands IX. Appalachian Mountains, Mesophytic Forests, and Grasslands References9. Effects of Fire on Temperate Forests: Western United States I. Introduction II. The Ponderosa Pine Region III. The Douglas-Fir Region IV. The Redwood Region V. Alaska References10. Effects of Fire on Chaparral I. Introduction II. Kinds of Chaparral III. Occurrence of Fires in Chaparral IV. Adaptations of Chaparral to Fire V. Plant Successions after Fire in Climax Chaparral VI. Plant Successions after Fire in Woodland-Grass Chaparral VII. Plant Successions after Fire in Forest Chaparral VIII. Soil Erosion after Fire IX. Discussion and Fire Management Implications References11. Fire in the Deserts and Desert Grassland of North America I. Introduction II. Four Deserts and the Desert Grassland III. Great Basin Desert IV. Mojave Desert V. Sonoran Desert VI. Chihuahuan Desert VII. Desert Grassland References12. Effects of Fire in the Mediterranean Region I. Introduction II. Natural Fire Conditions in the Mediterranean Region III. Fire History of Mediterranean Ecosystems IV. Effects of Fire on Mediterranean Ecosystems V. Conclusions References13. Effects of Fire in Forest and Savanna Ecosystems of Sub-Saharan Africa I. Introduction II. Some Major Types of Forest and Subhumid Wooded Savanna III. History of Fire in Forest and Derived and Subhumid Wooded Savanna IV. Kinds of Fire V. Influence of Fire in Forest Types, Related Derived Savanna, and Subhumid Wooded Savanna VI. Fire and the Future References14. Use of Fire in Land Management I. Introduction II. Historical Uses of Fire III. Current Uses of Fire IV. Examples of Use of Prescribed Burning ReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index