Within the framework of the climate emergency, an increase in forest fire activity is being observed in many parts of the world, including the Valencian Community. This increase in the frequency, size and intensity of fires can lead to the degradation of ecosystems, and the risk to the population and infrastructures.
The General Directorate of Forest Fires of the Generalitat Valenciana (DGPIF) has initiated prescribed burns as a method to reduce the risk of large fires and thus increase the resilience of ecosystems. Forest fuel management with prescribed burning is recent in the Valencian Community, and the ecological effects that it can generate are unknown. The analysis of these effects in relation to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is the objective of the research group of the Ecology Department of the Desertification Research Center (CIDE, CSIC-UV-GVA), led by Juli G. Pausas. This research is carried out within the framework of the Collaboration Agreement between the Generalitat Valenciana through the Conselleria de Agricultura, Desarrollo Rural, Emergencia Climática y Transición Ecológica (Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition) and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, M.P. (CSIC).
In the following link Juli G. Pausas explains in more detail this research, in the framework of the recent prescribed burning in Castell de Castells (Marina Alta):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtncVAIo9Bk
CIDE Communication
