A case study on the implementation of nature-based solutions after a forest fire in Central Italy

Forest restoration is advocated in burnt landscapes to rapidly recover forest ecosystem services, and it usually relies on extensive tree plantations to quickly restore the forest cover. This approach is apparently easy to implement, but it may impair post-fire natural recovery dynamics and it is costly. An alternative approach based on Nature-based solutions (NBS) requires the analysis of post-disturbance ecological processes, and can take advantage of biological legacies to increase forest restoration efficacy. In a burnt pine forest in Central Italy we studied the effect of biological legacies on the micro-environment, and tested their facilitating effect on sown and transplanted forest regeneration. We measured soil temperature and moisture around downed logs, and near-ground air temperature and illuminance close to downed logs, under shrubs, under clumps of branches, and along micro-terraces. We planted seeds and 1-year old seedlings in these positions to test the direct effect of biological legacies on forest regeneration survival. The biological legacies decreased soil and air temperature, and decreased the amount of solar radiation on the ground. The improved microsite conditions were mirrored by a higher survival of artificial regeneration along downed logs and under shrubs and branches. Similar studies increase our understanding of post-fire recovery dynamics and are the necessary starting point to apply NBSs. With various options at hand, land managers and stakeholders can define tailored solutions to restore forests after large and severe wildfires.