Diferentes técnicas de repoblación en matorrales con alto riesgo de incendio

Abstract

Fire-prone shrublands cover a huge surface of the forest areas in the Region of Valencia. This ecosystems, dominated by Ulex parviflorus (gorse), present high fire risk due to the accumulation of standing necromass with age. The management of these gorselands is needed in order to reduce the occurrence and the effects of wildfires. Removing natural fire-prone vegetation by brushing and planting resprouter tree and shrub species may increase the resilience of the ecosystem and promote the ability of a quick response of the vegetation after fire. Brushing increased the incident radiation (PAR) in the planting holes at 7, 14 and 19 h in comparison with the holes established within the natural vegetation. We found an increase in the first spring survival rate in the Pistacia lentiscus seedlings amended with the brushing chips in the planting hole surface. The aboveground relative growth rate increased in Quercus ilex seedlings unprotected with brushing chips and in P. lentiscus seedlings planted after brushing (with higher radiation). Survival and growth rate of Rhamnus alaternus seedlings did not change in the very short time with the treatments assessed. These are very early results and we expect to find higher effects of the treatments applied after the more stressful summer conditions.