Incorporating fire-smartness into agricultural policies reduces suppression costs and ecosystem services damages from wildfires

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 337, P. 117707 - 117707

Published: March 27, 2023

In southern Europe, land abandonment and an unbalanced investment toward fire suppression instead of prevention has gradually increased wildfire risk, which calls for a paradigm change in management policies. Here we combined scenario analysis, landscape modelling, economic tools to identify land-use policies would reduce the expected wildfire-related losses Transboundary Biosphere Reserve 'Gerês-Xurés' (Spain-Portugal). To do so, applied least-cost-plus-net-value-change approach estimated net changes damages based on their implications 2010–2050 period five ecosystem services: agriculture, pasture, timber, recreation climate regulation. Four scenarios were considered: (1) Business as Usual (BAU); (2) fire-smart, fostering more fire-resistant (less flammable) and/or fire-resilient landscapes (fire-smart); (3) High Nature Value farmlands (HNVf), wherein extensive agriculture is reversed; (4) combination HNVf fire-smart. best cost savings, but it generates lowest present value societal benefits from fact, most efficient with discounted costs services + fire-smart scenario, also savings agricultural expansion, lead significant reduction timber recreational benefits. Therefore, reverting through recultivation promoting tree species way hazard. this sense, payments should reward farmers landowners role prevention. This study improves understanding financial derived reducing spending damage by undertaking strategies, can be essential enhance local stakeholders' support Payments Ecosystem Services

Language: Английский

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Fires as a source of annual ambient PM2.5 exposure and chronic health impacts in Europe

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 922, P. 171314 - 171314

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Chronic exposure to ambient PM2.5 is the largest environmental health risk in Europe. We used a chemical transport model and recent response functions simulate PM2.5, contribution from fires related impacts over Europe 1990 2019. Our estimation indicates that excess death burden declined across at rate of 10,000 deaths per year, 0.57 million (95 % confidence intervals: 0.44–0.75 million) 0.28 (0.19–0.42 specified period. Among these deaths, approximately 99 were among adults, while only around 1 occurred children. findings reveal steady increase fire mortality fractions (excess 1000 PM2.5) 2 13 Notably, countries Eastern exhibited significantly higher experienced more pronounced increases compared those Western Central performed sensitivity analyses by considering be toxic as other sources, indicated studies. By than sources results an increased relative reaching 2.5–13 indicate requirement larger mitigation adaptation efforts sustainable forest management policies avert rising fires.

Language: Английский

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Key Governance Practices That Facilitate the Use of Remote Sensing Information for Wildfire Management: A Case Study in Spain

Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(4), P. 649 - 649

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

We present results from a comprehensive analysis on the use of Earth Observations (EO) in Spain for wildfire risk management. Our findings are based interviews with scientists, firefighters, forest engineers, and other professionals government private sector organizations nine autonomous regions Spain. aim is to identify key governance practices facilitating or hindering remote sensing (RS) information provide recommendations improving their integration into landscape management fire suppression activities reduce risk. share several case studies detailing institutional arrangements translation satellite science research decision-making environments, focus how this knowledge flows among various stakeholder categories. Among barriers faced by teams Spain, we identified silos, lack technical skills data processing analysis, evolving acceptance decision makers.

Language: Английский

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Degrowth scenarios for biodiversity? Key methodological steps and a call for collaboration

Sustainability Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 6, 2024

Abstract Studies show that economic growth contributes to biodiversity loss and that, after a certain threshold, it does not contribute wellbeing. Thus, when developing scenarios, considering societal futures where is pre-condition deserves special attention. However, date, degrowth scenarios have been explored for conservation human In this paper, we explain how the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) other approaches could be used generate biodiversity, nature’s contributions people (NCP) good quality of life (GQL) based on multiple values. We present key methodological steps such an endeavour, including: (i) producing visions high-income countries; (ii) identifying leverage points imagining pathways; (iii) social–ecological interactions; (iv) modelling NCP, GQL along scenarios. Our proposal framed within current theoretical, empirical, work as well efforts improve scenario development across climate communities. To develop GQL, call collaboration natural social sciences, quantitative qualitative approaches, northern southern perspectives. This lead community practice tests improves in national international science–policy interfaces they set out achieve Convention Biological Diversity’s 2050 vision living harmony with nature.

Language: Английский

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Plant colonisation, soil nutrient patterns and microclimate after a large forest fire in temperate Central Europe

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 585, P. 122643 - 122643

Published: March 9, 2025

Language: Английский

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Facilitating the subject of emergency management in forest research

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: April 3, 2025

This brief perspective served as a facilitator to emergency management for the benefit of forest research. While maintaining relative (or more restrictive) criteria domain, systematic literature review was adopted main methodology. current research made headway in adjusting changing environmental conditions such fire management, there still room improvement. In particular further make forests resilient and sustainable, future key findings should incorporate multiple principles (including comprehensive other frameworks, prospective areas, pertinent questions, communication, etc.). Then, apply them its projects based on potential benefits both expanding opportunities contributing goal management). introduced which would help expand scope

Language: Английский

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Integrating regional forest productivity maps with supplemental data to optimize forest management priority: A case study in Ibiza (Spain)

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 381, P. 125221 - 125221

Published: April 6, 2025

Language: Английский

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Spatial multi-criteria analysis for prioritising forest management zones to prevent large forest fires in Catalonia (NE Spain)

Environmental Challenges, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15, P. 100959 - 100959

Published: April 1, 2024

Large forest fires are one of the most common environmental issues in Mediterranean region. In this study, we defined a set indicators and criteria based on available spatial data to assess prioritize management zones for preventing large Catalonia (NE Spain). total, 22 were grouped into 5 criteria. The process involved geospatial modelling using Geographical Information System (GIS) Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) analysis. conducted MAUT analysis resulted development rules more standardized assessment priority areas. This is participatory evaluation introduces utility-function-based hierarchical model. Within model, each contains relevant information, including fuel hazard, potential fire behaviour, extinction accessibility, valuable resources at risk, historical data, serving as foundation comprehensive prevention measures. During assessment, two distinct sets weights applied: expert another equal weights. These describe relative importance within criterion Our results reveal noticeable differences between applied approaches. general terms, levels showcase certain aggregation patterns polarization characteristics. study underscores planning prioritizing areas reduce impacts presents methodological framework that facilitates such assessments, utilizing tools combine knowledge scientific expertise. Therefore, main focus not obtained results, but novel used, which consists combining with workshops generating utility rules. allows participation stakeholders same time enlarges credibility acceptance methodology results.

Language: Английский

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Forest fire causes and prevention strategies in Portugal: Insights from stakeholder focus groups

Forest Policy and Economics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 169, P. 103330 - 103330

Published: Sept. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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Global health burden from acute exposure to fine particles emitted by fires

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 24, 2025

Acute exposure to emissions from fires presents a significant and immediate threat human health. Inhalation of wildfire smoke other pollutants can lead various health issues, including respiratory cardiovascular problems. Our study uses the SILAM chemical transport model, integrated with IS4FIRES fire information system, assess population fire-related PM2.5, along burden all-cause, respiratory, deaths. results show that while population-weighted all-source PM2.5 has declined in Europe high-income North America, fire-PM2.5 increased significantly Eastern Central Europe, Tropical Latin sub-Saharan Africa. Extreme events have tripled globally since 1990s, more than half global experiencing minimum perpetual occurrence (least 1% fire-PM_2.5 for 50 instances 3 consecutive days calendar year) 2010–2018. contributed 99,000 (95% CI − 55,000–149,000) all-cause deaths annually 2010-18, disease burdens, particularly findings highlight escalating risks emissions, emphasizing urgent need mitigation strategies as becomes growing contributor air pollution-related mortality.

Language: Английский

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