Fire sensitivity of broadleaf tree species in plantations of Kurdistan, Iran

Abstract

To better manage wildfires and plantations in Kurdistan, native tree species commonly used in planting and reviving forests such as Quercus brantii Lindl., Q. infectoria Olivier, Q. libani Olivier, Pistachio atlantica Desf., Fraxinus rotundifolia Vahl, and Robinia pseudoacacia L. were evaluated and compared in terms of fire sensitivity and fire resistance. To determine fire sensitivity, indices such as the flammability index, ignition time, flame durability, moisture content, carbonized surface, mass reduction, bulk density, as well as dry weight of wood, bark, and leaves were used. The data were subjected to ANOVA. The means obtained, after examining homogeneity or heterogeneity of the variances, were compared using parametric and nonparametric comparison tests. There was a significant difference at the level of 5%. Based on the analysis of these indices, the species could be divided into three groups: species sensitive to fire such as Robinia pseudoacacia, species moderately sensitive to fire such as F. rotundifolia, and species relatively resistant to fire, including Q. brantii, Q. libani, Q. infectoria, and P. atlantica.

Keywords

Fire / Flammability index / Time to ignition / Flame durability / Moisture content

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