Limited contribution of post-fire eco-engineering techniques to support post-fire plant diversity

Eco-engineering techniques are generally effective at reducing soil erosion and restore vegetal cover after wildfire. However, less evidence exists on the effects of the post-fire eco-engineering techniques to restore plant diversity. To fill this knowledge gap, a standardized regional-scale analysis of the influence of post-fire eco-engineering techniques (log erosion barriers, contour felled log debris, mulching, chipping and felling, in some cases with burning) on species richness and diversity is proposed, adopting the Iberian Peninsula as case study. In general, no significant differences in species richness and diversity (Shannon) were found between the forest treated with different post-fire eco-engineering techniques, and the burned and non-treated soils. Only small significant differences were found for some sites treated with log erosion barriers or mulching. The latter technique increased species richness and diversity in some pine species and shrublands. Contour felled log debris with burning slightly increased vegetation diversity, while log erosion barriers, chipping and felling were not successful in supporting plant diversity. This research will help forest managers and agents in Mediterranean forest to decide the best postfire management option for wildfire affected forest, and in the development of more effective post-fire strategies.

Automated summary

Eco-engineering techniques are effective at reducing soil erosion and restoring vegetal cover after wildfire. However, there is limited evidence on the effects of these techniques on restoring plant diversity. A regional-scale analysis in the Iberian Peninsula found that there were no significant differences in species richness and diversity between forests treated with different post-fire eco-engineering techniques and burned or non-treated soils. Some small significant differences were found for sites treated with log erosion barriers or mulching, which increased species richness and diversity in certain pine species and shrublands. Contour felled log debris with burning slightly increased vegetation diversity, while log erosion barriers, chipping, and felling were not successful in supporting plant diversity.