Possible role of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua l.) in fire protection of agro-forest systems of croatian south adriatic islands regarding the similarities with other mediterranean countries

Abstract

Every year wildfires during the dry and hot summer season cause serious damage in agro-forest systems in Mediterranean area. Preventive measures are the most important issue in order to ensure agricultural production and sustainable tourism. One of preventive measures is planting of vegetation fire protection belts by using a low flammable plant species. Among low flammable plant species carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L., family of Fabaceae, subfamily of Caesalpinioideae) have special position. The carob tree grows in the coastal regions of Mediterranean basin as component of Mediterranean evergreen, “maquis” and “garigue” vegetation. Pods and seeds of carob tree are widely used in pharmaceutical and food industries. Additionally, carob tree is moderate to less flammable plant species in evergreen Mediterranean vegetation and its cultivation in Mediterranean region could be very useful from environment and from economic point of view. Its planting could be one of preventive activity from wildfire and in protection of agricultural areas and agro-forest systems against fires.