Vegetation regrowth after a differential intensity forest fire in a mediterranean environment, northeast Spain

Abstract

Inventories of vegetation were collected in a burnt area located in Cadiretes massif, Catalan Coastal Ranges, northeast Spain. The burnt forest primarily consisted of pine plantation (Pinus pinaster) with a large number of cork trees (Quercus suber). The burnt area was divided into three zones based on fire intensity. Data from three different periods after the fire (six, ten and twenty-four months) showed differences between the recovering vegetation and that in a control forest area. Numbers and types of resurgent vegetation species following the fire were different in each area. Regeneration of vegetation is important not only in terms of plant regrowth but also for protecting the soil surface from rainfall impact. During the research period the burnt area was managed homogeneously by the forestry authorities. Management operations, among others, involved tree felling, construction of terraces, with dead trees to control erosion, and reforestation of some species. Some of these operations, such as tree felling and the creation of terraces which were carried out one year after the fire, were implemented too late, since the most serious erosion had already taken place. Some operations, such as reforestation in some low intensity burnt areas, are unnecessary due to the profuse recovery of Pinus and Quercus suber. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.