Successional stage after land abandonment modulates fire severity and post-fire recovery in a Mediterranean mountain landscape

• DOI: 10.1071/wf13150
• Publication Date: 2014-08-25T06:05:14Z
• Authors: Rosario López-Poma; Barron J. Orr; Susana Bautista
• Keywords: Shrubland; Fire regime; Fire ecology

This study analyses the effect of successional stage after farmland terrace abandonment on post-fire plant recovery in a Mediterranean landscape. Specific objectives were to (1) compare fuel characteristics and fire severity three stages – dry grassland, dense shrubland pine stands; (2) analyse pre-fire vegetation (3) relative vulnerability (i.e. potential for ecosystem shift soil degradation) wildfires stages. We assessed 30 abandoned terraces (15 unburned 15 burned), with diverse stages, Xortà Range (south-east Spain). Post-fire was measured 1, 4 7 years fire. The varied aboveground biomass, litter amount, vertical structure continuity cover, flammability. Dry grassland showed lowest severity, whereas no differences found between stands. One year fire, cover inversely related severity; this relationship attenuated time stands led both cases shrublands, contributing landscape homogenisation. largest changes composition due sign high