Dry Lightning as a Forest Predator: A Review

Abstract

Lightning discharges have great impact on forest ecology. There are many indications that lightning is main cause for wildfires. Dry lightning or rain free lightning strikes are prominent natural source for wildfires. In remote areas dry lightning can escalate into uncontrollable events. Dry lightning often ignites wildfires in dry vegetation areas. It has been studied by several researchers that dry lightning strikes are most destructive and costly wildfires. The present work is the review study of impact of dry lightning on wildfires. The influences of variables such as environment, weather, fuel dryness and geographical factors and their effect on dry lightning are also aimed to study. Dry lightning has been shown to be the cause of huge wildfires, and it is well known that wildfires are a growing threat as climate continues to warm. So, an understanding of dry lightning is essential to fire management.