Bounded ranges of variation as a framework for future conservation and fire management

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Fire Science

Background:

• Natural fire patterns are altered, negatively impacting fire-prone ecosystems.
• The historical range of variability (HRV) concept guides management but may not account for future conditions or tipping points.
• Ecosystem resilience is crucial for adapting to changing environmental dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a refined management framework, bounded ranges of variation (BRV), for fire-prone ecosystems.
• To integrate historical data with thresholds of potential concern (TPC) to enhance ecosystem resilience.
• To identify socio-ecological thresholds and management triggers for conservation and fire management.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of the historical range of variability (HRV) concept.
• Integration of the thresholds of potential concern (TPC) framework into ecosystem management.
• Development of the bounded ranges of variation (BRV) approach.
• Examination of nonnative species and carbon sequestration as case studies for BRV application.

Main Results:

• The proposed bounded ranges of variation (BRV) framework enhances ecosystem resilience by considering historical dynamics and critical thresholds.
• BRV provides a more robust approach than HRV alone, especially under uncertain future conditions.
• The framework identifies specific management actions linked to socio-ecological thresholds.

Conclusions:

• Bounded ranges of variation (BRV) offers a proactive strategy for managing fire-prone ecosystems.
• This approach improves conservation and fire management by focusing on avoiding unacceptable ecological and social outcomes.
• BRV is a valuable tool for maintaining ecosystem resilience in the face of environmental change.