A Nature-Based Approach Using Felled Burnt Logs to Enhance Forest Recovery Post-Fire and Reduce Erosion Phenomena in the Mediterranean Area

Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D’Agostino (), Pasquale A. Marziliano, Pedro Pérez Cutillas, Salvatore Praticò, Andrea R. Proto, Leonardo M. Manti, Giuseppina Lofaro and Santo M. Zimbone
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Giuseppe Bombino: AGRARIA Department, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Daniela D’Agostino: AGRARIA Department, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Pasquale A. Marziliano: AGRARIA Department, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Pedro Pérez Cutillas: Department of Geography, University of Murcia, 30001 Murcia, Spain
Salvatore Praticò: AGRARIA Department, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Andrea R. Proto: AGRARIA Department, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Leonardo M. Manti: AGRARIA Department, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Giuseppina Lofaro: Department of Engineering of Information, Infrastructures and Sustainable Energy, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Santo M. Zimbone: AGRARIA Department, University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-29

Abstract: The easy implementation of a nature-based solution (NBS) to address a prompt stabilisation of burnt areas may be crucial in the Mediterranean forest environment. A plot scale hydrological and ecological survey was conducted in a pine forest of the Aspromonte Massif (southern Italy) affected by a high fire severity in summer 2021. The hydrological response to 30 rainfall event groups is analysed by monitoring nine sloping plots distributed into three plot blocks (forested according to the pre-fire situation, burnt with randomly directed felled logs and burnt with manually felled logs redirected along contour lines). The hydrological response of bare soil is mitigated by about 30% through the combined effects of the NBS and the vegetation cover by pioneer species. Although the regeneration of Pinus radiata is scarcer in the arranged plots, the spontaneous vegetation, once gone, prepares better edaphic conditions for the triggering of forest dynamics assured by the auto-succession of Pinus radiata . In terms of woody mechanical resistance, NBS durability is compatible with the time required for seedlings to regenerate the forest ecosystem. The results achieved so far encourage further research on higher slopes and complementary aspects (vegetal and animal biodiversity, economic factors, etc.).

Keywords: slope stabilisation; Mediterranean ecosystem; forest resilience; self-regeneration; erosion barriers; nature-based solutions; hydrologic response; wood durability; national law (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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