Periods of global warming can trigger long-lasting increases in wildfire activity and cause ecosystems to take longer to recover than previously thought.
Researchers from the University of Aberdeen analysed fossil charcoal preserved in ancient lake sediments to reconstruct wildfire activity during a well constrained hyperthermal event.
Their findings show that wildfires intensified in several stages and continued even after temperatures began to stabilise.
The results suggest that once wildfire activity becomes established, it can persist for long periods because of changes in vegetation and the amount of fuel available to burn, rather than climate alone.
Dr Tom Theurer from the University of Aberdeen said: “Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe across many parts of the world. By studying a similar warming event from Earth’s past, we’ve found that ecosystems can take much longer to recover from fire than previously thought.
“What’s particularly concerning is that wildfire activity remained high even after the climate began to recover. This suggests that the effects of climate change on wildfire risk may continue long into the future, even if temperatures stabilise.”
The scientists say this work offers important insights into the risks facing today’s world as climate change drives more frequent and severe fires.
