Leaf Thermal and Chemical Properties as Natural Drivers of Plant Flammability of Native and Exotic Tree Species of the Valparaíso Region, Chile

Fabián Guerrero, Carla Hernández, Mario Toledo, Lorena Espinoza, Yulian Carrasco, Andrés Arriagada, Ariel Muñoz, Lautaro Taborga, Jan Bergmann and Camilo Carmona
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Fabián Guerrero: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile
Carla Hernández: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile
Mario Toledo: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile
Lorena Espinoza: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile
Yulian Carrasco: Forestry Department, Faculty of Forestry and Agricultural Sciences, Universidad de Pinar del Río, Calle Martí 300, Pinar del Río CP 20100, Cuba
Andrés Arriagada: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile
Ariel Muñoz: Institute of Geography, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Avenida Brasil 2241, Valparaíso 2362807, Chile
Lautaro Taborga: Natural Products Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile
Jan Bergmann: Institute of Chemistry, Science Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Avenida Universidad 330, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile
Camilo Carmona: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-24

Abstract: Forest fires are one of the main environmental threats in Chile. Fires in this Mediterranean climate region frequently affect native forests and exotic plantations, including in several cases urban and rural settlements. Considering the scarcity of information regarding the fire response dynamics of tree species that are frequently affected by fires, this study aims to establish a flammability classification according to the evolution of the fire initiation risk presented by the most affected forest species in the Valparaíso region. Three exotic species, Eucalyptus globulus , Pinus radiata , and Acacia dealbata , and two native species, Cryptocarya alba and Quillaja saponaria , were studied. Flammability assays indicate that E. globulus , A. dealbata , and C. alba are extremely flammable, whereas P. radiata and Q. saponaria are flammable. Furthermore, E. globulus and A. dealbata have the highest heating values while Q. saponaria has the lowest values. The extreme flammability of E. globulus, A. dealbata , and C. alba indicates a high susceptibility to ignite. Furthermore, the high heat of combustion of E. globulus and A. dealbata can be associated with a high energy release, increasing the risk of fires spreading. In contrast, Q. saponaria has the lowest predisposition to ignite and capacity to release heat. Accordingly, this work shows that all studied tree species contain organic metabolites that are potentially flammable (sesquiterpenes, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohol esters, ketones, diterpenes, and triterpenes) and can be considered as drivers of flammability in vegetation. Finally, these preliminary results will aid in the construction of more resilient landscapes in the near future.

Keywords: flammability; fire behavior; forest fire; sclerophyllous species; organic metabolites (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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