Fire effects on geomorphic processes

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(7), P. 486 - 503

Published: May 30, 2024

Language: Английский

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Prescribed burning mitigates the severity of subsequent wildfires in Mediterranean shrublands

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Jan. 17, 2024

Abstract Background Prescribed burning (PB) is becoming relevant in fuel reduction and thus fire hazard abatement fire-prone ecosystems of southern Europe. Yet, empirical evidence on the effectiveness this practice to mitigate wildfire severity Mediterranean shrublands non-existent, despite being focus PB efforts region. Here, we intended quantify protective effect treatment units (2005–2021) subsequent across mainland Portugal, as well relative contribution complex interactions between drivers PB-treated areas untreated neighboring counterparts through Random Forest regression. We leveraged cloud-computing remote sensing data processing Google Earth Engine estimate (PB wildfire) Relativized Burn Ratio (RBR) using Landsat catalog. Results was particularly effective at mitigating first PB-wildfire encounter shrublands, with a mean around 24% RBR units. Fuel age (i.e., time since prescribed burning) intersection overwhelmed large extent weather, probability, severity. The persisted for 5 years. However, decreased increasingly adverse weather conditions, such that variation somewhat insensitive under extreme weather. Similarly, lowest experienced sites high along interaction observed probability age, suggest repeated treatments may be useful controlling accumulation explaining exceedingly areas, doubling other variables model absence variables. Conclusions Our results implementation intervals less than years paramount importance control build-up productive shrublands. Further research topic warranted worldwide, namely Mediterranean-type climate regions.

Language: Английский

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Short-term recovery of post-fire vegetation is primarily limited by drought in Mediterranean forest ecosystems

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Nov. 7, 2023

Abstract Background Climate change is altering the fire regime and compromising post-fire recovery of vegetation worldwide. To understand factors influencing cover restoration, we calculated in 200,000 hectares western Mediterranean forest burned by 268 wildfires over a 27-year period (1988–2015). We used time series Tasseled Cap Transformation Brightness (TCTB) spectral transformation Landsat imagery to calculate recovery. Then, quantified importance main drivers (climate, severity, topography) along an aridity gradient (semi-arid, sub-humid, humid) using Random Forest models. Results In most models (99.7%), drought duration was important factor, negatively affecting especially extremes gradient. Fire severity second factor for recovery, with its effect varying gradient: there positive relationship between sub-humid humid areas, while semi-arid areas showed opposite pattern. Topographic variables were least driver had marginal on Additionally, exhibited low mean rate, indicating limitations short-term after fire. Conclusions Our study highlights key role that plays basin and, particularly, forests located climatically extreme areas. The results suggest predicted increase coupled higher frequency intensity large fires may modify structure composition ecosystems. analysis provides relevant information evaluate design adaptive management strategies hotspots

Language: Английский

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Elucidating factors driving post-fire vegetation recovery in the Mediterranean forests using Landsat spectral metrics

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 342, P. 109731 - 109731

Published: Oct. 3, 2023

Wildfires represent one of the primary disturbance agents in Mediterranean, significantly affecting ecological integrity forests. Therefore, understanding spatial patterns post-fire vegetation recovery is crucial to improving forest restoration planning and assessing regeneration capacity different stands that have been impacted by wildfires. In this study, we analysed rates within context fire severity, pre-fire vegetation, climate conditions, for Mediterranean classes, namely, pine, holm, deciduous oak forests, sclerophyllous thermophilous shrublands. Basilicata, Italy, was chosen as a study area, it represents wide range The Relative Recovery Indicator (RRI) derived from Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) extracted 30-meter Landsat time series wildfires occurred during 2004–2016 Google Earth Engine (GEE) environment. A Linear Mixed Model (LMM) used test effect variables on RRI. Results showed general decrease rate five-years each cover class, which mainly related pre- conditions. Pre-fire conditions influenced recovery, especially Post-fire (e.g., temperature) were also important predictors explaining variation RRI patterns. proposed method could provide new insights into management ecosystems Mediterranean.

Language: Английский

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Caution is needed across Mediterranean ecosystems when interpreting wall-to-wall fire severity estimates based on spectral indices

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 546, P. 121383 - 121383

Published: Aug. 30, 2023

Language: Английский

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Climate change mitigation through biodiversity conservation of wild nutmeg (Myristica spp.) and its habitat (case study in Halmahera Forest, North Maluku)

BIO Web of Conferences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 07001 - 07001

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Changes in the growing environment (habitat), including habitat of wild nutmeg ( Myristica spp. ) due to deforestation, land degradation mining, erosion soil fertility, reduced density flora, fauna, and microorganisms can increase risk climate change. The role plant is that its canopy absorb CO 2 from air, roots effectively store water prevent so it mitigate Vegetation analysis used as an approach change mitigation through managing biodiversity a single function Halmahera forest against impacts results vegetation studies on natural have shown composition structure been disturbed although still moderate category. spp.) forest, North Maluku with abundant diversity high species richness play mitigating long this area maintained stable. Further based research provide deeper insight into conservation strategies their

Language: Английский

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Driving Factors of Post-Fire Vegetation Regrowth in Mediterranean Forest

Land, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 448 - 448

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Large wildfires have increased in the Mediterranean region due to socio-economic and land-use changes. The most immediate concerning consequence of is loss vegetation. However, there are few studies on relationship between wildfire vegetation recovery, especially complex species composition, burn severity geo-environmental context. This study focuses analysis post-fire regrowth (RV) forests. Therefore, two objectives were set: (i) analyse influence pre-fire conditions, topographic variables growth rates for each stage recovery (ii) identify drivers recovery. results show that NDVI increases rapidly first years after more slowly following years. Except year, RV shows a positive with severity. In importance topographical features, curvature flow accumulation, stands out. fourth when values highest, mainly explained by presence vegetation, followed altitude. These can be an important step towards effective local management strategies leading resilient sustainable territory.

Language: Английский

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Applying Remote Sensing to Assess Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery: A Case Study of Serra do Açor (Portugal)

Fire, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(5), P. 163 - 163

Published: April 22, 2025

Wildfires in the Mediterranean basin, particularly Portugal, pose significant ecological challenges by altering landscapes and ecosystems. This study examines vegetation recovery Serra do Açor seven years after 2017 wildfires, using remote sensing field data to analyze post-fire dynamics. The primary goal was assess whether fire severity, measured via dNBR index from Sentinel-2 imagery, impacts or if site-specific factors pre-fire floristic composition are more influential. Randomly assigned plots based on previous land use severity were analyzed for attributes. To quantify classify cover changes, a supervised classification methodology random forest algorithm applied data. results showed no clear link between recovery; instead, local like soil topography, along with dominant species, influenced recovery. Acacia eucalyptus communities grew faster increased occupied area but exhibited lower diversity than native communities. Supervised classifications achieved high accuracy (Kappa > 0.90), showing shrubland areas expansion of acacia. highlights methodology’s effectiveness potential broader applications future research.

Language: Английский

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Severity, Logging and Microsite Influence Post-Fire Regeneration of Maritime Pine

Fire, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 125 - 125

Published: April 8, 2024

We investigated the influence of fire severity, logging burnt wood, local ecological factors and their interaction on natural regeneration, survival growth maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.), following a that took place in 2005. During period 2006–2020, sample 1900 seedlings were monitored, which three post-fire treatments applied: (1) Early (before seedling emergence); (2) Delayed (after (3) No management. Multivariate semi-parametric non-parametric techniques used to model survival, estimated density regeneration. Seedling was 31% with mean more than 2000 seedlings/ha at end study period. Logging before emergence positively related density. resulted lowest Fire severity had negative regeneration The findings indicate site conditions have stronger subsequent management treatments. In order ensure presence pure or mixed stands, silvicultural work is required control competition from other species reduce risk new wildfires.

Language: Английский

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A fast spectral recovery does not necessarily indicate post-fire forest recovery

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: June 13, 2024

Abstract Background Climate change has increased wildfire activity in the western USA and limited capacity for forests to recover post-fire, especially areas burned at high severity. Land managers urgently need a better understanding of spatiotemporal variability natural post-fire forest recovery plan implement active projects. In areas, “spectral recovery”, determined by examining trajectory multispectral indices (e.g., normalized burn ratio) over time, generally corresponds with multiple vegetation types, including trees shrubs. Field data are essential deciphering types reflected spectral recovery, yet few studies validate metrics field or incorporate into spatial models recovery. We investigated relationships between measurements (16 27 years post-fire) from 99 plots mixed conifer Blue Mountains, USA. Additionally, using generalized linear effects models, we assessed relative capacities multispectral, climatic, topographic predict Results found that fast did not necessarily coincide density regenerating seedlings, saplings, young % juvenile cover). Instead, often coincided increases shrub cover. primarily attributed this relationship response snowbrush ceanothus, an evergreen vigorously resprouts post-fire. However, non-trailing edge forests—where it was cooler wetter fast-growing conifers were more common—rapid both cover Otherwise, showed potential identify transitions grasslands, as grass-dominated sites showcased distinctly slow trajectories. Lastly, best predicted when climate predictive models. Conclusions Despite disconnect our results suggest improved predicting likelihood Improving would aid land identifying reforestation Graphical Photo credit: J. Celebrezze

Language: Английский

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