The role of fire in the regeneration of conifer forests

Abstract

Fire is a forest disturbance agent whose effects vary according to the natural fire regime, under which the species that inhabit it evolved. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the role of fire in the regeneration of conifer forests. First, we review fire regimes and their effects on tree regeneration. Then, we describe the main methods for reconstructing fire regimes and explore montane tropical conifer forest fire regimes. Finally, the possible effect of timber harvesting on fire regimes is described. It has been suggested that this activity is currently the disturbance agent that has the greatest impact on fires regimes worldwide. In this review article, we propose that understanding the role of fire in the regeneration of conifer forests is essential to prevent catastrophic fires and that the use of this element as a forest management tool can contribute to the conservation of the integrity of these forests.