Citation

Beringer J, Hutley LB, Abramson D, Arndt SK, Briggs P, Bristow M, Canadell JG, Cernusak LA, Eamus D, Evans BJ, Fest B, Goergen K, Grover SP, Hacker J, Haverd V, Kanniah K, Livesley SJ, Lynch A, Maier S, Moore C, Raupach M, Russell-Smith J, Scheiter S, Tapper NJ, Uotila P. Glob. Chang. Biol. 2014; 21(1): 62-81.

Affiliation

School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia; School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/gcb.12686

PMID

25044767

Abstract

Savanna ecosystems comprise 22% of the global terrestrial surface and 25% of Australia (almost 1.9 million km(2) ) and provide significant ecosystem services through carbon and water cycles and the maintenance of biodiversity. The current structure, composition and distribution of Australian savannas have co-evolved with fire, yet remain driven by the dynamic constraints of their bioclimatic niche. Fire in Australian savannas influences both the biophysical and biogeochemical processes at multiple scales from leaf to landscape. Here we present the latest emission estimates from Australian savanna biomass burning and their contribution to global greenhouse gas budgets. We then review our understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystem function and local surface water and heat balances, which in turn influence regional climate. We show how savanna fires are coupled to the global climate through the carbon cycle and fire regimes. We present new research that climate change is likely to alter the structure and function of savannas through shifts in moisture availability and increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 ), in turn altering fire regimes with further feedbacks to climate. We explore opportunities to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from savanna ecosystems through changes in savanna fire management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en