Wildfire risk increases following non-fire disturbance events, but this relationship is not always linear or cumulative, and previous studies are not consistent in differentiating between disturbance loops versus cascades. Previous research on disturbance interactions and their influence on forest fires has primarily focused on fire-prone regions, such as North America, Australia, and Southern Europe. In contrast, less is known about these dynamics in Central Europe, where wildfire risk and hazard are increasing. In recent years, forest disturbances, particularly windthrow, insect outbreaks, and drought, have become more frequent in Central Europe. At the same time, climate change is influencing fire weather conditions that further intensify forest fire dynamics. Here, we synthesize findings from the recent literature on disturbance interactions in Central Europe with the aim to identify disturbance-driven processes that influence the regional fire regime. We propose a conceptual framework of interacting disturbances that can be used in wildfire risk assessments and beyond. In addition, we identify knowledge gaps and make suggestions for future research regarding disturbance interactions and their implications for wildfire activity. Our findings indicate that fire risk in the temperate forests of Central Europe is increasing and that non-fire disturbances and their interactions modify fuel properties that subsequently influence wildfire dynamics in multiple ways.

Animal vocal communication research traditionally focuses on acoustic and contextual features of calls, yet substantial information is also contained in response selectivity and timing during vocalization events. By examining the spatiotemporal structure of vocal interactions, we can distinguish between ‘broadcast’ and ‘exchange’ signalling modes, with the former potentially serving to transmit signallers’ general state and the latter reflecting more interactive signalling behaviour. Here, we tracked the movements and vocalizations of wild meerkat ( Suricata suricatta ) groups simultaneously using collars to explore this distinction. We found evidence that close calls (used for maintaining group cohesion) are given as signal exchanges. They are typically given in temporally structured call–response sequences and are also strongly affected by the social environment, with individuals calling more when they have more neighbours and juveniles responding more to adults than the reverse. In contrast, short note calls appear mainly in sequences produced by single individuals and show little dependence on social surroundings, suggesting a broadcast signalling mode. Despite these differences, both call categories show similar clustering in space and time at a group level. Our results highlight how the fine-scale structure of vocal interactions can give important insights into the usage and function of signals in social groups. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics.'