Fire

Fire is one of the most importance agents of disturbance in the southern Appalachians. Unlike most other disturbance types, fire regimes have changed dramatically during recent history. Although fire has been largely excluded from most forests in the southern Appalachians in recent times, it was once a far-more pervasive influence on southern Appalachian forests. In fact, several forest types in the Appalachians appear to require fire to maintain their natural community structures. The following sections review the role of fire as a disturbance agent in the southern Appalachians.

• Types of Natural Fire defines crown, surface, and ground fires.
• Historical and Present-day Fire Regimes summarizes changes in natural and anthropogenic fire regimes in the southern Appalachians from prehistory to present day.
• Effects of Fire discusses the effects of natural and anthropogenic fires on abiotic and biotic ecosystem properties.