Changes to Cretaceous surface fire behaviour influenced the spread of the early angiosperms

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.14264
• Publication Date: 2016-11-07T10:40:53Z
• Authors: Claire M. Belcher; Victoria A. Hudspith
• Keywords: Gymnosperm; Understory; Fire regime; Litter

Angiosperms evolved and diversified during the Cretaceous period. Early angiosperms were short-stature weedy plants thought to have increased fire frequency mortality in gymnosperm forest, aiding their own expansion. However, no explorations considered whether range of novel fuel types that throughout also altered behaviour, which should link more strongly than alone. We measured ignitability heat combustion analogue understorey fuels (conifer litter, ferns, shrubby angiosperms) used these data model palaeofire behaviour. Variations ignition, driven by alone, found been a less important feedback changes activity previously estimated. Our estimates suggest fires shrub fern understories had significantly greater fireline intensities those fuelled conifer litter or angiosperms, whilst supported most rapid spread, angiosperm shrubs delivered largest amount per unit area. The higher predicted models led enhanced scorch canopy chance transitioning crown fires. Therefore, behaviour addition new groups may assisted