Managing Fire in Karst Landscapes: Geoethical Implications and Strategies for Sustainable Burn Practices Mike Buchanan - 2025 Abstract Karst landscapes, composed of soluble rocks such as limestone, gypsum, chalk and dolomite, represent fragile ecosystems that host unique subterranean biodiversity and critical freshwater reserves. These terrains are increasingly threatened by fire, driven by both natural and anthropogenic causes. Due to their thin soils, porous geology and complex hydrology, karst systems are exceptionally vulnerable to the cascading impacts of fire, including biodiversity loss, groundwater contamination, and geological alteration. This paper explores fire origins, current management practices, emergency response efficiency and risk management in karst landscapes. By adopting a geoethical framework, we analyse both the threats and opportunities posed by fire, with a particular focus on the integration of Indigenous knowledge, ecological monitoring and modern ...
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