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Fuel moisture and micro-scale combustion calorimetry data for Calluna vulgaris across the UK, April-May 2023

This dataset contains fuel moisture contents and flammability metrics for samples of common heather (Calluna vulgaris) collected across the United Kingdom between 15th April and 20th May 2023. A total of 830 samples were used to measure fuel moisture content (FMC), and 130 of these were also subjected to calorimetric analysis. FMC data were obtained gravimetrically by weighing samples before and after drying. Flammability data were obtained by micro-scale combustion calorimetry, which measures heat release related to flaming combustion of a fuel material. The flammability metrics recorded were the heat release capacity (HRC), peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and temperature at maximum rate of decomposition (Tmax). These data will contribute to the development of models of fuel moisture variability in UK fuels, and thus refine inputs for fire behaviour modelling, which can inform land management strategies in relation to wildfire risk. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/64d340d7-8f19-49f9-90e0-83d4013e76c2

Simple

Date (Publication)
2026-03-02
Identifier
https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/64d340d7-8f19-49f9-90e0-83d4013e76c2
Identifier
doi: / 10.5285/64d340d7-8f19-49f9-90e0-83d4013e76c2
Other citation details
Ivison, K., Little, K., Belcher, C.M., Crawford, A.J., Davidson, S.J., Graham, L.J., Kettridge, N. (2026). Fuel moisture and micro-scale combustion calorimetry data for Calluna vulgaris across the UK, April-May 2023. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre 10.5285/64d340d7-8f19-49f9-90e0-83d4013e76c2
Point of contact
  University of Exeter - Alastair Crawford
Author
  University of Birmingham - Ivison, K.
Author
  University of Birmingham - Little, K.
Author
  University of Exeter - Belcher, C.M.
Author
  University of Exeter - Crawford, A.J.
Author
  Université du Québec à Montréal - Davidson, S.J.
Author
  University of Birmingham - Graham, L.J.
Author
  University of Birmingham - Kettridge, N.
Owner
  University of Birmingham
Publisher
  NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
Custodian
  NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
  • Environmental Monitoring Facilities
Keywords
  • Environmental risk
  • wildfire
  • fuel moisture
  • flammability
  • citizen science
  • heathland
  • United Kingdom
Access constraints
otherRestrictions Other restrictions
Other constraints
no limitations
Use constraints
otherRestrictions Other restrictions
Other constraints
This resource is available under the terms of the Open Government Licence
Use constraints
otherRestrictions Other restrictions
Other constraints
If you reuse this data, you should cite: Ivison, K., Little, K., Belcher, C.M., Crawford, A.J., Davidson, S.J., Graham, L.J., Kettridge, N. (2026). Fuel moisture and micro-scale combustion calorimetry data for Calluna vulgaris across the UK, April-May 2023. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre https://doi.org/10.5285/64d340d7-8f19-49f9-90e0-83d4013e76c2
Spatial representation type
textTable Text, table
Metadata language
EnglishEnglish
Character set
utf8 UTF8
Topic category
  • Biota
  • Environment
Begin date
2023-04-01
End date
2023-05-31
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Unique resource identifier
OSGB 1936 / British National Grid
Distribution format
  • Comma-separated values (CSV) ()

Distributor
  NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
OnLine resource
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Hierarchy level
dataset Dataset
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dataset

Conformance result

Date (Publication)
2010-12-08
Statement
Volunteers were requested to collect samples on 19 April 2023, or as close as possible to this date, based on forecasts of dry, fire-prone weather for the UK. At each sampling location, the approximate height of the heather canopy was measured, and live C. vulgaris was clipped from c. 10 plants along a 20 m transect. Samples from each transect were combined in an aluminium tin, sealed with tape to prevent moisture loss, and sent for analysis by priority mail. Samples for fuel moisture analysis only (n = 700) were weighed, dried at 80°C for 48 h, and then reweighed. Samples for calorimetric analysis (n = 130) were analysed using an FAA Micro Calorimeter (Fire Testing Technology Ltd, East Grinstead, UK). Two subsamples of 6.2‒31.1 mg were analysed from each sample. The heating rate of the pyrolysis chamber was set to 3°C s-1, the maximum pyrolysis temperature to 750°C, and the combustion chamber temperature to 900°C. The N₂ flow rate was set to 80 cm³ min-1 and the O₂ flow rate to 20 cm³ min-1. For each flammability metric (HRC, PHRR, THR and Tmax) the mean of the tests for the two subsamples was taken. The remainder of each sample was used to obtain FMC: the sample was weighed, then dried at 50 °C until it reached constant weight. Fuel moisture was defined as: Fuel Moisture = ((wet mass - dry mass) / dry mass) × 100
File identifier
64d340d7-8f19-49f9-90e0-83d4013e76c2 XML
Metadata language
EnglishEnglish
Character set
ISO/IEC 8859-1 (also known as Latin 1) 8859 Part 1
Hierarchy level
dataset Dataset
Hierarchy level name
dataset
Date stamp
2026-03-03T15:08:28
Metadata standard name
UK GEMINI
Metadata standard version
2.3
Point of contact
  NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg , Lancaster , LA1 4AP , UK
https://eidc.ac.uk/
 
 

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Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Environmental Monitoring Facilities

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