In a fire dependent ecosystem, periodic fire is expected to burn off ground litter and maintain native plant species, many of which depend upon fire for their livelihood.
View a fire dependent ecosystem with periodic fire.
When fire is unnaturally suppressed in a fire dependent ecosystem those native species that need fire die out, and ground litter becomes excessive and dangerous. When fire finally strikes after years without any burning the results are extremely destructive. View a fire dependent ecosystem that has gone too long without fire.
