Environmental management and policy
In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the intensity and frequency of wildfires worldwide mainly due to the escalating climate crisis and land-use change. Wildfires result in a decline in air quality and cause damage to property, crops, resources, wildlife, and human lives. Since...
General
In this study, the post-fire regeneration of three coniferous species ( Pinus brutia, Cupressus sempervirens and Cupressus arizonica) was examined in the peri-urban forest of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. The wildfire took place in July 1997 and burned almost 60% of the forest vegetation. During...
General
A noticeable decline of Quercus ithaburensis ssp. Macrolepis, a typical mediterranean species, has been recorded in the past few decades throughout Greece. The triggers were mostly human influences and specifically illegal cuttings, wildfires, and overgrazing. Regeneration and future management of...
General
Floods are natural disasters that pose a direct threat to human life and often cause significant economic loss. River floods are caused by heavy and/or prolonged rainfall, causing rivers and streams to overflow and sometimes also burst dams or levees. Forest fires increase the risk factor to which...
General
One of the issues that have recently attracted increased attention from the hydrologic community is the impact of forest fires on the hydrological response of the once vegetated areas. This study presents the investigation of wildfires impact on the hydrological response of the small scale...
General
Postfire plantation results and pattern of natural revegetation process were monitored for six years after wildfire in the artificial Pinus brutia forest of the suburban park of Thessaloniki, northern Greece. Some flood-preventing treatments and plantings took place on half of the burned area...
Air pollution and health
Fire agencies worldwide apply millions of gallons of fire suppression chemicals on a broad array of ecosystems. These chemicals are considered to have minimal effects on the health of people who might be exposed to them. Only incidents of skin and eye irritation have been reported as a result of...
General
In the Mediterranean region, fire is a natural factor, which contributes in the shaping of landscape and the preservation of a high degree of biodiversity. However, often repeated burning has negative impacts on the forested landscapes. When the processes of natural or artificial regeneration are...