POSTFIRE – Fire-induced tree mortality: underlying PrOcesseS and leaf-Toregion consequences for the recovery and management oF MedIterranean foREsts

This project will test the overarching hypothesis that the flammability of Mediterranean forests has increased as a consequence of climatic and land use changes, and that concomitant decreases in the hydraulic status of the vegetation significantly increase the vulnerability of Mediterranean forests to undergo deforestation after a fire. The project is timely because, under the novel climatic conditions of the 21st century, deforestation is expected to expand even into forest types that have so far shown resistance and resilience to fire. Anticipating the vulnerability of Mediterranean forests to fireinduced deforestation is essential to design appropriate anticipatory management actions.