Abstract: Researchers and managers are increasingly interested in spatially explicit fire models that can simulate fire spread processes at large spatial and temporal scales for use in fire management, planning, and scientific analyses. Fire Area Simulator (FARSITE) is a spatially explicit model based on thermal physics, combustion science, and empirical theory, which integrates the existing sub-models of surface fire, crown fire, spot fire, and fire acceleration. By using GIS and RS data, FARSITE model can simulate fire spread at large spatial and temporal scales, and the simulated results can output in the form of maps, reflecting the instantaneous state of any fire behavior. This paper introduced the basic principles, structure, and operation mechanisms of FARSITE model, and applied it to simulate the fire spread in Fenglin National Nature Reserve, so as to provide reference for the development of fire management and fire behavior simulation model in China.

Key words: macroinvertebrate, functional group, hyporheic zone, stream habitat.