Fire and management

Abstract

Fire is widely used in the management of ecosystems world-wide, mainly because it is a relatively inexpensive option by which vegetation can be manipulated. For the price of a box of matches, literally, it is possible to subject thousands of hectares of vegetation to a powerful modifying force. Unfortunately, starting fires is much simpler than achieving a desired biological effect and, if incorrectly used, fire can have many adverse consequences. Exactly how, when, and where fire is applied depends on the management objectives in the area concerned and the constraints that apply to the case. There are many, and diverse, management objectives which can influence the type of fire applied in ecosystems.