Forest fires are a risk factor for plant species

Abstract

The growth, development and the prevalence area of plant species are determined by a variety of influences. Plants are increasingly exposed to the different stress factors. Fires in nature can completely destroy the whole forest complex habitats with great biological diversity of many species in a short period of time. This study deals with the effects of a fire, such as heat, to the plants. After the fire, the environment is being changed and some species in areas affected by the fire will appear only after the fire, some species that had existed before the fire, will be developed in accordance with the new conditions, and some species will disappear after the fire.

The aim of the study was to assess the sustainability of the natural vegetation in fire conditions, which is important for natural regeneration and nursery production. Fire temperatures cause irreparable damage of the plant functions or of the plant organs. In the analysis of the plant species the frequency of the fire is often more important than the type and intensity of the fire. Regarding possible long fire season in Serbia, as well as the presented statistics data about the number of fires and burnt areas, it can be concluded that there is an evident risk of plant species of fire, which are more common in this region.