Fire ecology is the study of roles that fire plays in ecosystem function and structure. Fire is a keystone process in grasslands, shrublands, savannahs, and many forested systems. Recent anthropogenic changes — such as the spread of invasive species — are changing the fire regimes of many ecosystems, including the Sonoran Desert. In the Southwest, recent large fires may be pushing ecosystems past tipping points into new configurations.
Biological Sciences East 225
