Ashes and Adaptations
"Ashes and Adaptations" is a five-episode mini-series discussing plant adaptations shaped by fire. The goal of the project was to create an overview of fire as an evolutionary force and explain how climate change is harmful to fire-adapted ecosystems. From trees with flammable oils to cones waiting to open until after a fire, this series discusses a variety of interesting ways plants have evolved with fire. Tune in to learn more!
Layers of Surivival: The Power of Thick Bark
In this episode of Ashes and Adaptations, we're discussing one of the most unassuming yet powerful fire-adapted traits: thick bark. Some trees are built with a natural armor that can protect them from the high temperatures caused by wildfires. We'll explore how fire shapes ecosystems, the science behind bark thickness, variation among species, and limitations regarding thick bark as an adaptation
Sources:
Fire behavior. US Forest Service Research and Development. (n.d.). https://research.fs.usda.gov/psw/fire/behavior
Madrigal, J., Rodríguez de Rivera, Ó., Carrillo, C., Guijarro, M., Hernando, C...
Overview of Evolution
Welcome to Ashes and Adaptations! This mini-series will be diving into various plant adaptations that have evolved in response to fire. This first episode explores evolution as a process, how adaptations arise, and corrects common misconceptions.
Sources:
Adaptation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2025, from https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolution-101/mechanisms-the-processes-of-evolution/adaptation/
Bilyk, K. T., & DeVries, A. L. (2010). Freezing avoidance of the Antarctic icefishes (Channichthyidae) across thermal gradients in the Southern Ocean. Polar biology, 33(2), 203-213.
Raman, V., Wang, M., Avula, B., Lee, J., Manfron, J., & Khan, I. A. (2025). Chemical mimicry in...
