Post-fire restoration of Mediterranean forests
Suggested Elective Courses:
- Environmental Monitoring with Satellite Image Time Series
Nowdays, wildfire is one of the most important environmental problems in the world, affecting a wide range of ecological, economic and social aspects. In addition, forest fires increases carbon emission and because of global change, an increase in emissions due to forest fires is expected in the near future. Mediterranean ecosystems are adapted to forest fires; However, the current frequency and intensity of forest fires are higher than what the ecosystem can support, resulting in forest degradation.
The need for understanding and monitoring forest recovery after a fire is widely well accepted by the scientific community and the forest managers, as well as, understanding how different post-fire restoration treatments may help to recover the forest. The spatial and temporal coverge of satellite images make it possible to obtain updated information to asses vegetation dynamics. In addition statistical time series analysis provides a set of tools to understand and model a variable based on its history. The combination of satellite time series with statistical time series analysis seems to be a promising approach for assessing post-fire restoration of Mediterranean forests
The main goal of this topic is to evaluate burned areas restoration practices in Mediterranean ecosystems using time series analysis of satellite information. By combining time series data from Landast and Sentinel-2 we will evaluate pre- and post-fire conditions under different restoration practices. We have the perimeters of historical forest fires, which have occurred in the province of Albacete (Spain) since the 1950s and which have been identified either through satellite images, cartographic images or by viewing orthohistorical images. In addition, all the existing information related to the foreste restoration works carried out in the territories affected by the forest fires has been compiled. By evaluating the vegetation dynamics before and after the fire and before and after the restoration treatment we can evaluate the success of post-fire forest recovery strategies in the area. Results from this analysis will provide vital information to the forest manager on how to mitigate and avoid the negative impacts of forest fires.
This MSc topic can be easily applied for M-SE students since the topic covers many aspect and can be focused in different ways. Understanding how burned areas respond under different restoration treatmentes will be helpful to define a management plan in this type of forest. There are different data sources available for the student to consider in the analysis (time series of satellite information, meteorological data, vegetation map, fire perimeters, restoration activities, etc.). In addition within the study area different stakeholders and polices must be taken into account when developing any intervention plan. In conclusion: the topic is broad and there is enough data to adapt it to M-SE thesis.