Remote Sensing Techniques for Monitoring Fire Damage and Recovery of Mediterranean Pine Forests: Pinus pinaster and Pinus halepensis as Case Studies

Abstract

[EN] Current predictions of global change effects in the Mediterranean Basin include an increase in the number, severity and recurrence of wildfires that will affect post-fire recovery of forest ecosystems, altering the provision of public goods and services on which many local populations depend. Mediterranean pine forests have been greatly affected by large wildfires, mainly in recent decades, including Pinus pinaster and P. halepensis as two common and important species in these ecosystems. Derived products from satellite images are becoming the most effective tool for analyzing and mapping post-fire damage, and for monitoring post-fire forest recovery. However, remote sensing based fire damage maps should be validated with field data, mainly using the Composite Burn Index (CBI). Thus, spatial tools based on remote sensing are essential for developing adequate post-fire management strategies, in order to reduce soil erosion and facilitate the recovery of these forests. This chapter reviews the remote sensing techniques currently used for mapping post-fire damage and for monitoring vegetation recovery in Mediterranean pine forest ecosystems, including close-range, airborne and satellite approaches (thermal and optical multispectral), RADAR and LiDAR techniques.