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Perspectives on Fire Management in Mediterranean Ecosystems of Southern California

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Book cover The Role of Fire in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 107))

Abstract

San Dimas Canyon seems a wild place beyond the reach of civilization. It is home to black bears, gray foxes, Anna’s hummingbirds, scrub jays, and in early summer, a multitude of biting insects. Along the steep, north-facing hillsides, the chaparral has the appearance of an ancient forest. From within the canyon it is difficult to remember that one is less than 7 km from metropolitan Los Angeles. It is also difficult to conceive of the landscape swept by flames 30- or 40-m high, or to visualize San Dimas Creek afterwards scoured by debris flows. Our difficulty in perceiving these catastrophic events makes it difficult to alter their course and consequences because to do so involves substantial cost and risks.

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Authors
  1. Philip J. Riggan
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  2. Scott E. Franklin
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  3. James A. Brass
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  4. Fred E. Brooks
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecología Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    José M. Moreno

  2. Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA

    Walter C. Oechel

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© 1994 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Riggan, P.J., Franklin, S.E., Brass, J.A., Brooks, F.E. (1994). Perspectives on Fire Management in Mediterranean Ecosystems of Southern California. In: Moreno, J.M., Oechel, W.C. (eds) The Role of Fire in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems. Ecological Studies, vol 107. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8395-6_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8395-6_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-8397-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-8395-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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