Forest fires versus Desertification in Portugal
Desertification goes beyond an environmental problem, being also one of the major worlds economic and social problem. In Portugal, depopulation is the most widespread cause-effect of desertification. Therefore, changes in land use, such as land abandonment and the expansion of shrubland into traditional farming and grazing areas are related with the increase of the frequency and extension of forest fires.It is well known the huge and severe impacts that large fires produce on vegetation, soil and water. Erosion and other degradation processes are also associated with a harsh climate, steep slopes, thin vegetation cover and poor agricultural practices. In Portugal, this situation has become particularly serious after the catastrophic fires of 2003 and 2005, highlighting not only the need to take actions to prevent and mitigate the effects of forest fires, but also the necessity of actions to restore burned areas.Several research projects have been carried out at CESAM/UA to better understand how forest fires contribute to land degradation and to assess the impact of post-fire techniques on soil degradation mitigation. Another important issue is public involvement in the definition and implementation of sustainable forestry practices, which is also being studied.The main aim of this communication is to present some results assessing the main drivers of land degradation in Portugal, the potential of some mitigation and prevention approaches and technologies to control soil and water erosion and also how stakeholders are being involved.
desertification forest fires burned areas stakeholders
Coelho, C. Valente, S. Ferreira, A. Soares, J. Carvalho, T. Ribeiro, C.
CESAM & Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal CERNAS, Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polythenic Institute of Coimbra, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal
国际会议
西安
英文
1166-1172
2010-10-11（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）