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  3. Patterns and Processes of Landscape Fire

Patterns and Processes of Landscape Fire (FRST90025)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online

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Overview

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February - Online
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The course covers the fundamentals of fire behaviour and the key drivers. Students will examine the importance of the key factors affecting fire behaviour including fuels, weather, topography and ignitions. Methodologies for measuring fuels, fuel moisture, and weather will be examined through theoretical and practical approaches. Using these skills, students will learn computer and manual approaches for predicting the extent and intensity of landscape fires in a range of ecosystems. Finally, we will assess the potential changes to fire patterns under global climate change.

 

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the subject students should have:

  • An understanding the importance of fuel composition and structure (fuel moisture, composition, accumulation, decomposition and spatial distributionon) on fire behaviour.
  • An understand the fundamentals of fire behaviour ‐ pyrolysis, combustion, and heat transfer
  • Experience in the use of fire behaviour prediction using manual methods and models linked to Geographic Information Systems.
  • Knowledge of the effects of climate and weather patterns on fire occurrence and behaviour.
  • Experience using weather observations and forecasts to predict fire behaviour.
  • Critical analysis of the potential changes to fire regimes under future climate scenarios.

Generic skills


In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:

  • Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community;
  • An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources;
  • Highly developed computer-based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and communication;
  • Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects.

Last updated: 31 January 2024