Comparing modern and past fire regimes to assess changes in prehistoric lightning and anthropogenic ignitions in a Jeffrey pine – mixed conifer forest in the Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Mexico

Abstract

Fire histories of Jeffrey pine ( Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.) – mixed conifer forests in the Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, Mexico, recently described through analysis of 300 years of tree-ring fire-scars, indicate there have been four distinct fire-regime periods based on fire frequency and size. We used modern lightning and fire data to assess whether the current lightning regime could have supported the prehistoric fire regime. Although there are several sources of uncertainty, the present lightning regime, concentrated in the summer with little spring activity, may be insufficient to support the high number and spring seasonality of fires recorded during some periods in the past. Changes in the ignition regime recorded during the past 300 years could have been due to anthropogenic and (or) climatic factors; available evidence suggests periods of frequent fire were dominated by anthropogenic ignitions.