The Effects of a Megafire on Ecosystem Services and the Pace of Landscape Recovery

Diana Mancilla-Ruiz, Francisco de la Barrera, Sergio González and Ana Huaico
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Diana Mancilla-Ruiz: Department of Geography, University of Concepcion, Concepción 4070386, Chile
Francisco de la Barrera: Department of Geography, University of Concepcion, Concepción 4070386, Chile
Sergio González: Department of Geography, University of Concepcion, Concepción 4070386, Chile
Ana Huaico: Department of Geography, University of Concepcion, Concepción 4070386, Chile

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: (1) Background: Megafires have affected several regions in the world (e.g., Australia, California), including, in 2017, the central and south-central zones of Chile. These areas represent real laboratories to monitor the impacts on the sustainability of landscapes and their recovery after fires. The present research examines the modification of dynamics and the provision of ecosystem services by a megafire in a Mediterranean landscape in central Chile, combining remote sensing technologies and ecosystem service assessments. (2) Methods: Land cover and spectral indices (NBRI, BAIS-2, NDVI, and EVI) were measured using Sentinel-2 imagery, while the provision of ecosystem services was evaluated using an expert-based matrix. (3) Results: The megafire affected forest plantations, formerly the dominant land cover, as well as other ecosystems, e.g., native forests. After five years, the landscape is dominated by exotic shrublands and grasslands. (4) Conclusions: The megafire caused a loss of 50% of the landscape’s capacity to supply ecosystem services. Given that native forests are the best provider of ecosystem services in this landscape, restoration is a key to recovering landscape sustainability.

Keywords: wildfires; spectral indices; land cover; expert-based scoring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:12:p:1388-:d:702751

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