Article
Environmental Sciences
Longzhong Shi, Bo Chen, Xuan Chen, Zhuo Chen
Summary: This article investigates the impact of wildfires on property values in the wildland-urban intermix (WUIM) and wildland-urban interface (WUIF) in Colorado. The study finds significant differences in the effects of wildfires on property values between WUIM and WUIF. Larger fires depreciate property values in WUIM, but increase property values in WUIF. Additionally, both small and large fires have a negative impact on property values in both WUIM and WUIF.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Sandra Vaiciulyte, Alejandro Rivero-Villar, Louise Guibrunet
Summary: As natural hazards become more intense and frequent, wildfires in wildland-urban interface/intermix (WUI) pose a significant risk to both ecology and human populations. However, there is limited research on WUI wildfires in Mexico, despite the increase in wildfire risk. This study aims to assess the risk of WUI wildfires to populations in Mexico by analyzing official datasets, documentation, and media news sources. The findings suggest that a substantial portion of the WUI territory in Mexico is at risk, emphasizing the need for preparedness, risk mitigation, and fire recovery mechanisms.
Article
Ecology
Alan A. Ager, Cody R. Evers, Michelle A. Day, Fermin J. Alcasena, Rachel Houtman
Summary: The study modeled an accelerated forest and fuel management scenario for 76 western US national forests, targeting wildfire exposure to developed areas. The research found that over 20% of simulated fires overlapped with fuel treatments once fully implemented, and approximately 20% of projects were burned prior to implementation.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
M. J. Paul, S. D. LeDuc, M. G. Lassiter, L. C. Moorhead, P. D. Noyes, S. G. Leibowitz
Summary: Wildfires have increased in frequency and have significant impacts on water quality, including physical, chemical, and biological changes. These effects typically last less than 5 years, but can extend up to 15 years or more in certain cases. Studies on pollutants mobilized from wildfires in urban areas are limited.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Melanie E. Roberts, Andrew A. Rawlinson, Ziyuan Wang
Summary: The article introduces a potential ember risk model to enhance community understanding of the importance of embers in wildfire risk and assist planning to address this risk. A case study demonstrates how the model can be used in assisting community planning. The utility of this outcome for community and household level wildfire planning and preparation is discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erika Allen Wolters
Summary: Due to climate change and past management practices, wildfires are increasing in size and frequency in the Western U.S. Fire management agencies have promoted Firewise recommendations to help residents in at-risk communities protect their homes and communities. A study in Deschutes County, Oregon, found that homeowners' participation in Firewise activities varied based on their level of concern, previous wildfire experience, land use rules, and proximity to forests or rangelands. The study also revealed that cultural traits influenced participation, with those having egalitarian traits engaging in more Firewise behaviors.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Jonathan Wahlqvist, Enrico Ronchi, Steven M. Gwynne, Max Kinateder, Guillermo Rein, Harry Mitchell, Noureddine Benichou, Chunyun Ma, Amanda Kimball, Erica Kuligowski
Summary: WUI-NITY is a modelling platform built on the Unity3D game engine, which simulates and visualizes human behavior and wildfire spread during evacuations of wildland-urban interface communities. Its purpose is to enhance situational awareness of responders and residents during evacuation scenarios.
Article
Environmental Studies
Sarah Grajdura, Sachraa Borjigin, Deb Niemeier
Summary: This paper develops an agent-based simulation model to study the evacuation of the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California. The results show that longer evacuation times are associated with reduced smartphone use, increased delays in awareness, and reduced vehicle access.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Dominik Kaim, David P. P. Helmers, Michal Jakiel, Daniel Pavlacka, Volker C. C. Radeloff
Summary: This study mapped the wildland-urban interface (WUI) across Poland and found that a substantial part of Poland is in the WUI, with over 60% of buildings located in the WUI. The WUI patterns vary across different regions, with hotspots located around major metropolitan areas and in the Carpathians. The distribution of WUI also reflects the long-term influence of past political borders. This study highlights the importance of historical factors in shaping the current WUI pattern.
Article
Ecology
William L. Baker
Summary: WUI wildfire disasters, driven by strong winds and drier fuels, are increasing and pose a threat to buildings in communities. A study in Colorado shows that the majority of building losses occur within 100 meters of wildland vegetation, highlighting the importance of maintaining defensible spaces. Treating a smaller area of defensible space could significantly reduce the risk of building loss in WUI wildfire disasters.
Article
Forestry
Adelia N. Nunes, Albano Figueiredo, Carlos Pinto, Luciano Lourenco
Summary: In Portugal, the rapid growth in housing in and near wildland-urban interfaces (WUIs) increases the wildfire risk. The goal of the study was to assess wildfire hazard in the Central Region of Portugal and the contact areas of the 60,373 km of WUIs. The assessment was based on land use/land cover analysis, topography, and historical incidence of burnt area. The results show that wildfire hazard is high or very high in over half of the Central Region, but most WUIs are in contact with low or very low hazard classes.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hyejeong Park, Kihun Nam, Hyungduk Lim
Summary: Global climate change and unplanned urbanization have led to industrial encroachment on wildlands, resulting in increased wildfire risks and the potential for Natech accidents. This case study in South Korea demonstrates the importance of intensive risk and emergency management in protecting critical energy infrastructure from wildfires. The findings emphasize the need for integrated wildfire-specific Natech risk management that includes all stakeholders and enhances resilience in wildland-industrial and -urban interface areas.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Avi Bar-Massada
Summary: The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) refers to the area where human settlements border or intermingle with undeveloped land, and mapping the WUI is essential for identifying areas-at-risk. Two main mapping methods, point-based and zonal-based, have different data requirements and produce varying maps. A study comparing these methods in California found that the point-based approach estimated a larger WUI area, and the spatial correspondence between maps was influenced by building numbers and arrangement. This suggests that WUI maps are not directly comparable and should serve different practical purposes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruth C. Heindel, Sheila F. Murphy, Deborah A. Repert, Gregory A. Wetherbee, Alexander E. Liethen, David W. Clow, Toby A. Halamka
Summary: As human activities increasingly dominate the nitrogen cycle, ammonium deposition, one of the main components of nitrogen deposition, remains high in the Rocky Mountains, despite efforts to reduce emissions. Previous spatial models have underestimated the contribution of urban and agricultural emissions to ammonium deposition in adjacent ecosystems. Through field measurements, this study found elevated wet ammonium deposition in urban and foothill areas, and lower deposition in montane and subalpine regions. Ammonium accounted for the majority of nitrogen deposition, particularly in spring when air masses from the plains transport ammonium to the mountains. The results highlight the importance of considering urban and agricultural sources in nitrogen deposition models and suggest that fire-prone forested foothills receive even greater ammonium deposition than higher elevations, posing a risk to water supplies and ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fermin Alcasena, Alan A. Ager, Pedro Belavenutti, Meg Krawchuk, Michelle A. Day
Summary: This study examined the financial efficiency and effectiveness of different fuel treatment strategies in reducing exposure and loss to wildfire on a large fire-prone area. The findings suggest that a combination of landscape and home ignition zone treatments resulted in the highest overall reduction in predicted exposure and loss. Home ignition zone treatments performed well in terms of economic outcomes and per area treated performance.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher J. W. McClure, Brian W. Rolek, Leah Dunn, Jennifer D. McCabe, Luke Martinson, Todd Katzner
Summary: The study found that automated curtailment systems can effectively reduce eagle fatalities caused by wind turbines and potentially lessen the conflict between wind energy and raptor conservation. However, automated curtailment did not completely eliminate fatalities, and its efficacy could be improved by combining it with other mitigation actions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Bohwi Lee, Hakjun Rhee, Sebin Kim, Joon-Woo Lee, Seungmo Koo, Sang-Jin Lee, Phayvanh Alounsavath, Yeon-Su Kim
Summary: The study highlights the significance of bamboo in agroforestry and compares two different bamboo utilization models in a rural community in Laos. It reveals that the new model of producing bamboo handicraft products can significantly increase income for villagers and promote sustainable use of bamboo resources, compared to the existing model of selling semi-processed raw materials.
Editorial Material
Ornithology
Christopher J. W. McClure, David L. Anderson, Ralph Buij, Leah Dunn, Michael T. Henderson, Jennifer McCabe, Brian W. Rolek, Sarah E. Schulwitz, D. Paul Spurling, F. Hernan Vargas, Munir Z. Virani, Richard T. Watson, Diego Mendez, Cesar Marquez Reyes, Everton B. P. Miranda, Lyle Glowka, Sofi Hinchliffe, Bryce W. Robinson, James R. Belthoff, Julie A. Heath, Andre Botha, Robert A. G. Davies, Andrew P. Rayner, Simon R. Trice, Laurie Goodrich, Jean-Francois Therrien, M. David Oleyar, Steven J. Slater, Evan R. Buechley, Sandesh Gurung, Tulsi R. Subedi, Petra Sumasgutner, Luke J. Sutton, Franziska Loercher, W. Louis Phipps, Jose Tavares
Summary: The article introduces the Global Raptor Impact Network (GRIN) and its history, current state, and expansion plans. GRIN expands data collection and storage capabilities on a global scale through a mobile application, with implemented data-sharing rules to ensure sensitive species' safety. GRIN is developing analyses of species' population trends and geographic distributions, as well as detailed bibliographies and online accounts for each raptor species.
JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Christopher J. W. McClure, Brian W. Rolek, Melissa A. Braham, Tricia A. Miller, Adam E. Duerr, Jennifer D. McCabe, Leah Dunn, Todd E. Katzner
Summary: The study found significant variation in the probability of eagles entering rotor-swept zones at a wind energy facility, with some months showing rates 4.03 times higher than others, reaching up to 0.62. The riskiest turbine had a total probability of entry 2.39 times greater than the safest turbine. Combining this information with other sources of variation can help identify risky and safe situations for eagles, minimizing management costs, curtailment prescriptions, and collision risks.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Anne Davidson, Leah Dunn, Kevin Gergely, Alexa McKerrow, Steven Williams, Mackenzie Case
Summary: The study utilized 2018 USGS species models to analyze biodiversity hotspots and characteristics of rare species of terrestrial vertebrates in the contiguous United States. It found that potentially rare species are widely distributed across ecoregions, with most rare species having habitat protection below the recommended level by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Everglades ecoregion was the only one that protected over half of its rare or potentially rare species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Darcy Ogada, Munir Z. Z. Virani, Corinne J. J. Kendall, Simon Thomsett, Martin Odino, Shiv Kapila, Teeku Patel, Peter Wairasho, Leah Dunn, Phil Shaw, Jean Marc Thiollay
Summary: Kenya's wildlife, especially predators and scavengers, has been declining significantly, impacting ecosystem services. Protected areas are crucial for preserving raptor populations, but specific threats like electrocution, poisoning, and habitat degradation have led to declines. Enhanced management of protected areas, mitigation of threats, and species recovery plans are needed to reverse the situation.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Christopher J. W. McClure, Leah Dunn, Jennifer D. McCabe, Brian W. Rolek, Andre Botha, Munir Z. Virani, Ralph Buij, Todd E. Katzner
Summary: Energy infrastructure, especially wind power, is rapidly expanding in Africa, which may lead to conflicts with at-risk wildlife populations. Studies show that the risk of collision between flying raptors and wind turbines depends on the altitude at which the birds fly. Threatened species, particularly vultures, are more likely to be affected by wind energy infrastructure.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Christopher J. W. McClure, Zackery Szymczycha, David L. Anderson, Francisca Helena Aguiar-Silva, Sarah Schulwitz, Leah Dunn, Michael T. Henderson, Leticia Camacho, Jose de Jesus Vargas Gonzalez, Chris N. Parish, Evan R. Buechley, Jesse D'Elia, Sanford Wilbur, Kenneth Johansen, Devin L. Johnson, Soren Moller, Ivan Pokrovsky, Todd E. Katzner
Summary: Scoping reviews systematically collate and summarize the literature on a given topic, which aids literature searches, identifies knowledge gaps, and informs conservation efforts. This study presents and applies a framework for scoping reviews of three raptor species, highlighting important knowledge gaps and potential areas for conservation actions.
Article
Ornithology
Brian W. Rolek, Melissa A. Braham, Tricia A. Miller, Adam E. Duerr, Todd E. Katzner, Jennifer D. McCabe, Leah Dunn, Christopher J. W. McClure
Summary: Operators of wind power facilities can reduce wildlife mortality by predicting the probability of birds entering rotor-swept zones based on their flight characteristics. We developed a model that accurately forecasted entry probability using distance and altitude thresholds for curtailment decisions. These findings can inform the criteria for curtailment in real-time decision-making.
Article
Environmental Studies
Evan Hjerpe, Christopher A. Armatas, Michelle Haefele
Summary: This study used econometric analysis to explore the factors influencing the amenity-based development in rural areas of the American West. The results show that cool summers, varied topography, forests, water, and regional access have the most significant impact on the development level. Counties with more Wilderness and National Monuments are associated with higher amenity-based development.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher J. W. McClure, Leah Dunn, Evan R. Buechley, Paul Juergens, Dave Oleyar, Laurie J. Goodrich, Jean-Francois Therrien
Summary: Raptors in the USA and Canada face conservation challenges, especially for critically endangered species such as the California Condor.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Review
Forestry
Heesol Chang, Han-Sup Han, Nathaniel Anderson, Yeon-Su Kim, Sang-Kyun Han
Summary: This study analyzed the cost of forest thinning operations in the western US and found that mechanized whole-tree thinning had the lowest average cost. Key variables such as tree diameter and machine travel distance affected productivity and cost. A spreadsheet-based model was developed to help managers estimate thinning costs for different systems.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher J. W. McClure, Igor Berkunsky, Evan R. Buechley, Leah Dunn, Jeff Johnson, Jennifer McCabe, Steffen Oppel, Brian W. Rolek, Luke J. Sutton, Rikki Gumbs
Summary: Amidst the ongoing sixth mass extinction, conservationists are faced with limited resources and the need to prioritize species and areas for conservation action. This study emphasizes the importance of evolutionary distinctiveness in determining the conservation priority of bird species. By combining evolutionary distinctiveness with a species' global endangered status, an EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) score is obtained. The researchers analyzed all bird species and bird conservation areas globally, with a focus on parrots, raptors, and seabirds due to their high threat levels and species richness. The results showed that these three groups had a significant median threatened evolutionary history, indicating their importance in preserving bird evolutionary history. The countries of Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, New Zealand, and the Philippines were identified as particularly critical for bird conservation, as they had a high concentration of threatened evolutionary history for endemic birds and were important for the focal groups mentioned above. The study highlights the need for increased enforcement of international agreements to protect parrots, raptors, and seabirds, as they safeguard millions of years of threatened bird evolutionary history. Urgent action is required to conserve the evolutionary history of birds in the Anthropocene.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Christopher J. W. McClure, Brian W. Rolek, Leah Dunn, Jennifer D. McCabe, Luke Martinson, Todd E. Katzner
Summary: Automated curtailment is a potentially effective technique to reduce collision mortality of wildlife with wind turbines. Our study in Wyoming, USA, confirms previous findings that eagle fatalities were reduced by 85% after implementing automated curtailment. The new analysis and additional data strengthen the inference drawn from the results.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2022)
Review
Forestry
Alark Saxena, William Cole Buettner, Loker Kestler, Yeon-Su Kim
Summary: Nepal, as a developing landlocked nation prone to seismic activity, faces challenges in addressing the devastating impacts of natural disasters due to systemic social issues. Building wood-based infrastructure (WBI) can help Nepal reduce poverty, migration, and increase resilience while contributing to sustainable forest management. Our review of Nepal's policy landscape reveals both opportunities and barriers for WBI, with policies supporting sustainable development and disaster risk reduction but hindrances posed by forest conservation policies and policy implementation ambiguity.
TREES FORESTS AND PEOPLE
(2022)
Article
Economics
Sara Lorenzini, Nadia von Jacobi
Summary: This paper fills the gap in the literature on polycentric governance by focusing on the micro-processes of conflict that precede its establishment. Through a comparative analysis of four case studies, the authors find that conflict can lead to negotiations and the eventual establishment of common procedural rules, which can sustain polycentric governance.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Hubert Palus, Lenka Marcinekova, Jaroslav Salka
Summary: The complexity and comprehensiveness of sustainability issues in forest certification schemes require knowledge based and transparent decision-making processes, which involve open and multi-stakeholder participation. This study examines the latest PEFC national sustainable forest management standard revision process in Slovakia from the viewpoint of stakeholder participation. The results highlight the importance of stakeholder understanding, trust, and satisfaction in the effectiveness of the revision process.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Nicholas Palaschuk, Jason Gauthier, Ryan Bullock
Summary: Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important for the spiritual and cultural identity of Indigenous communities, but current forest policies in Canada do not adequately protect these resources. This research used a participatory approach and community interviews to document local criteria, elements, and values related to NTFP development and conservation. The resulting framework can guide decision making and promote socio-economic benefits for the Missanabie Cree First Nation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Laila Berning, Metodi Sotirov
Summary: This paper analyzes the coalition politics driven by beliefs and interests in the new European Union Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR). The study identifies pro-regulation and contra-regulation coalitions and highlights the strategic alliance formed between pro-EUDR business actors and other pro-coalitions. Despite opposition from a weaker contra-regulation coalition, the EUDR was ultimately institutionalized as a compromise solution accommodating different beliefs and interests of state and non-state actors.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Mehwish Zuberi, Michael Spies, Jonas o. Nielsen
Summary: Smallholder farmers play a crucial role in agrarian value chains in the Global South, but they are often neglected in technology-oriented agricultural interventions. However, they face challenges such as lack of resources, established crop rotation patterns, and market and climatic factors.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
James Chamberlain, Carsten Smith-Hall
Summary: More countries are adopting novel approaches to transition to a forest-based bioeconomy, which can address global challenges such as sustainable forest management, poverty alleviation, and climate change mitigation. Utilizing non-timber forest products is crucial for the realization of a forest-based bioeconomy.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Keith Barney
Summary: The social impacts of industrial wood plantations in Southeast Asia, specifically in Laos, are debated. This study finds that under certain conditions, these plantations can positively contribute to local livelihoods, but there are still issues of land dispossession and inadequate compensation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)