Moderate to high-severity wildfires: Main restoration strategies applied in Mediterranean ecosystems

Since the 1960s, the ever-increasing frequency and severity of forest fires has become a growing concern, particularly in Mediterranean ecosystems. High-severity wildfires have devastating effects on the ecosystems, such as the almost depletion of biomass and disrupting soil health. Given the critical role of healthy forests in global environmental stability, accelerating the post-fire recovery of ecosystems is becoming increasingly important. This paper discusses the main post-fire rehabilitation strategies applied in Mediterranean areas following moderate to high severity wildfires, namely mulching, plant seedling, composting, salvage logging, scattering of cut branches and trunks of burned trees and the implementation of erosion barriers. Among the strategies reviewed, those that incorporated organic matter into the soil, thereby promoting both physical and chemical recovery, showed the most favourable results. This recovery correlates with the reduction in soil erosion and water run-off events and the incorporation of organic matter and nutrients into the soil. By synthesizing findings from recent studies, this review provides insights into the most effective rehabilitation techniques, offering guidance for optimizing post-fire interventions in Mediterranean soils and aiding in the development of resource-efficient restoration strategies.