In Alaska's boreal forests, a negative feedback loop between wildfires and vegetation plays an important role in governing the size and likelihood of fires. Wildfires clear out mature forests, allowing them to be replaced by less flammable young forests that temporarily suppress fires. This relationship helps balance fire activity, but to what extent is unclear. Scientists are also uncertain how it will change as the climate warms.

In Alaska’s boreal forests, a negative feedback loop between wildfires and vegetation plays an important role in governing the size and likelihood of fires. Wildfires clear out mature forests, allowing them to be replaced by less flammable young forests that temporarily suppress fires. This relationship helps balance fire activity, but to what extent is unclear. Scientists are also uncertain how it will change as the climate warms.

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