The climate-fire nexus: Understanding post-fire vegetation recovery

Pérez-Cabello, Fernando (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Serrano-Notivoli, Roberto (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Montorio, Raquel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Iranzo, Cristian (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: In Mediterranean ecosystems, high-frequency hydroclimatic variability, along with shifts in the fire regime, are key drivers of forest degradation. In this context, understanding post-fire vegetation recovery is crucial for both ecological research and forest management standpoint. Satellite-based remote sensing, particularly through orbital platforms, provides a robust framework for tracking post-fire vegetation dynamics. We assessed recovery patterns across 30 fire-affected areas in Aragón (northeastern Spain) by analyzing temporal trends in the Leaf Area Index (LAI), a widely used proxy for canopy structure, primary productivity, and vegetation health. Using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs), we modeled LAI trajectories as a function of fire severity, dominant plant regenerative traits, and post-fire climatic conditions (drought or wet periods), including fire location as a random effect to account for spatial heterogeneity among burn sites. The models showed strong predictive capacity (R² ≈ 0.80), and the inclusion of random effects substantially improved model fit, underscoring the importance of site-specific factors in shaping recovery dynamics. Fire severity and post-fire moisture availability—particularly during the first years—were the most influential drivers of LAI regeneration. The regeneration mechanism of dominant vegetation also contributed to early post-fire recovery, although its influence diminished over time. From a forest management perspective, these findings can inform the design of post-fire recovery strategies based on different post-fire moisture and severity conditions.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123568

Año: 2026

Publicado en: Forest Ecology and Management 606 (2026), 123568 [13 pp.]
ISSN: 0378-1127

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S74-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MCIN-AEI/PID2020-118886RB-I00-AEI-10.13039-501100011033
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/RYC2021-034330-I

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Geografía Física (Dpto. Geograf. Ordenac.Territ.)
Área (Departamento): Área Análisis Geográfico Regi. (Dpto. Geograf. Ordenac.Territ.)