TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Fire in Australian Savannas: from leaf to landscape
JO  - Global change biology
A1  - Beringer, Jason
A1  - Hutley, Lindsay B.
A1  - Abramson, David
A1  - Arndt, Stefan K.
A1  - Briggs, Peter
A1  - Bristow, Mila
A1  - Canadell, Josep G.
A1  - Cernusak, Lucas A.
A1  - Eamus, Derek
A1  - Evans, Bradley J.
A1  - Fest, Benedikt
A1  - Goergen, Klaus
A1  - Grover, Samantha P.
A1  - Hacker, Jorg
A1  - Haverd, Vanessa
A1  - Kanniah, Kasturi
A1  - Livesley, Stephen J.
A1  - Lynch, Amanda
A1  - Maier, Stefan
A1  - Moore, Caitlin
A1  - Raupach, Michael
A1  - Russell-Smith, Jeremy
A1  - Scheiter, Simon
A1  - Tapper, Nigel J.
A1  - Uotila, Petteri
SP  - 62
EP  - 81
VL  - 21
IS  - 1
N2  - 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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1354-1013
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12686
ID  - ref1
ER  -