Hazards-Fires In Nature Flashcards
1
Q
What are the benefits of Wildfires?
A
- They are a natural process for many ecosystems - can be a necessary benefit
- Make it easier for predators to catch their prey as no vegetation to hide in
- Some endangered birds only lay their eggs in burned pine trees
- Some pine cones are only opened by fire, so can only spread their seeds once opened by fire
2
Q
What are the physical causes of Wildfires?
A
- Rough Terrain
- Dry Conditions
- Overgrown Terrain
- Lightning Strikes, Volcanoes and Earthquakes
- Lack of Precipitation
- High temperatures
- Very little rain
3
Q
What are the human causes of Wildfires?
A
- Arsen
- Campfires
- Shooting with guns, creates a lot of heat
- Electricity pylons
- Trains on train tracks
- Less forest management
- Discarded cigarettes
- Greater access to wild areas for tourists
4
Q
What are Retardants?
A
Chemicals that are sprayed on fires in order to slow them down.
5
Q
What is Pyrophytic Vegetation?
A
Pyrophytes are plants that are adapted to tolerate fire.
6
Q
What are the impacts of Wildfires?
A
- Release of toxic gasses and particulates
- Loss of Wildlife
- Damage to soil structure and nutrient content
- Loss of crops, timber and livestock
- Loss of property- people left homeless
- Increased flood risk due to loss of vegetation
7
Q
State 6 management strategies for for Fire Hazards.
A
- Warning Systems-heat detectors
- Large deforested areas to slow the spread of fire
- Helicopters drop water, chemicals and sand over the actual fire
- Managing the Vegetation
- Evacuating people and animals
- Education
8
Q
State 5 Preparedness strategies for Wild Fires.
A
- Managing vegetation
- Controlled fires
- Planting trees further apart from each other
- Cutting down areas
- Warning systems
9
Q
State 3 responses to a Wildfire.
A
- Replanting trees and brushes
- Rebuilding homes
- Reintroducing animals back to their habitat
