Plants set ablaze to improve risk maps
9 Oct 2009 by Evoluted New Media
A team of researchers have been setting alight plant life to test a new method that measures how different plant species respond to fire.
A team of researchers have been setting alight plant life to test a new method that measures how different plant species respond to fire.
The technique, developed by a team from the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, could be used to improve fire risk maps.
To measure their flammability, various plant species were placed in a sample basket which simulates natural conditions. The plants were then heated constantly and uniformly with a conical heater and a ‘thermopile’ was used to measures the speed at which combustion starts and developed, as well as the heat emitted. From this, the research group have shown the relationship between flammability and humidity, and plant species. For example, Aleppo pines are more flammable than Maritime pines but both trees are found in Spain, which suffers from forest fire outbreaks. Knowing that one tree species is more flammable than another will allow rescue operations to work more effectively.
Author of the study, Javier Madrigal Olmo said: “This methodology gives a very good reflection of how combustion takes place in conditions more like those found in the field, which is why we suggest it could be used to improve the classification systems, which to date have been based on tests that provide less information, or on those carried out in laboratory conditions far removed from reality. This would allow forest managers to prioritise their preventive actions according to the tree species in the area.”
By Leila Sattary
