Rainforest and savanna dynamics in response to fires in New Caledonia
type: Dataset
description: New Caledonia, which presents both an exceptional and highly endangered biodiversity, is one of the worldwide biodiversity hotspots for conservation priority. Human-induced fires, which are one of the main threats to natural ecosystems in New Caledonia, lead to the expansion of savannas on volcano-sedimentary substrates at the expense of rainforests. In this thesis, the ecological processes, which are involved in the dynamics of rainforests and savannas and related to changes in fire regime, have been studied at different spatial and temporal scales. The analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution of rainforests and savannas across the landscape allowed us to both point-out the different drivers of their dynamics and to identify areas of rainforest recolonization. Different secondary succession patterns and pioneer species assemblages were identified from the analysis of these areas of recolonization. The analysis of measured functional traits and the use of semi-physical models of fire-caused damages highlighted the low tolerance of these pioneer species to fire. Finally, a multivariate analysis of the structure, the floristic composition and the micro-climatic conditions of transitional zones between savanna and rainforest, has allowed us to better understand the processes of rainforest's expansion and contraction. This thesis opens a new field of research in New Caledonia with important implications in rainforest's restoration and sustainable management.
issued: 2026-05-23T17:49:48.856635
language: fr
modified: 2026-05-23T17:49:48.856640
contact point: Organization
  fn: CCSD
keyword: analyses-de-communautes
keyword: assemblages-floristique
keyword: community-analysis
keyword: dispersal
keyword: dispersion
keyword: edge-effects
keyword: effet-de-bords
keyword: fire-resistance-functional-traits
keyword: floristic-assemblages
keyword: infoeu-reposemanticsdoctoralthesis
keyword: population-structures
keyword: restauration
keyword: restoration
keyword: sdveelife-sciences-q-bioecology-environment
keyword: secondary-succession
keyword: structures-de-populations
keyword: succession-secondaire
keyword: theses
keyword: traits-fonctionnels-de-resistance-au-feu
landing page: https://theses.hal.science/tel-00681865

Rainforest and savanna dynamics in response to fires in New Caledonia
type: Distribution
format: HTML
issued: 2026-05-23T17:49:48.896124
modified: 2026-05-23T17:49:48.809454
access URL: https://theses.hal.science/tel-00681865

test_moissonnage_selune
type: Agent