Survey on "Rewilding areas as fire resilient landscapes"

Increasing wildfires in Europe also affect the European Green Belt. A recent study developed by a research team from Wageningen University & Research University investigates the presence of fire in rewilding and eco-restoration areas and the awareness of local people in such areas. The research team will use the results to investigate whether such areas can be classified as fire resilient landscapes.

Healthy ecosystems can adapt to climatic changes, are more resistant towards the invasion of alien species and are less vulnerable to extreme wildfires that can devastate watersheds, destroy wildlife habitat, and risk lives. The concept of fire resilience has become increasingly relevant with an increasing number of fires in recent years and attempts to appropriately respond to them. 

More frequent fires in Europe also affects areas along the European Green Belt and can threaten higly valuable natural areas. At the same time, healthy ecosystems have a high potential to be resilient towards such fires. Therefore, this survey is also an important opportunity to feed in knowledge and data on that topic from areas along the European Green Belt. 

The survey aims to investigate the extent to which rewilding/ecological restoration sites can be classified as so-called Fire Resilient Landscapes which are less vulnerable to fire events. It has been designed to be completed by those working directly within a rewilding/restoration site and who have knowledge about the management of the site. The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and is available here in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and Portuguese.

Research like this has never been done before and by conducting this survey the research group hopes to contribute to much needed empirical research about the impacts of rewilding on ecosystem processes.

 

Details & Information

Name of the project: An analysis of rewilding sites as fire resilient landscapes

Duration: 6 - 18 months

Funding sources: PyroLife – MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS (lessonsonfire.eu)

Institution or organization: Wageningen University and Research

Contact person: Veerle Beijer and Fiona Newman-Thacker

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact veerle.beijer(at)wur.nl or fiona.newman-thacker(at)wur.nl