Title: |
Economic analysis in the control of fuel loading in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. Prescribed burning, an alternative to mechanical methodsAnálisis económico aplicado al control de la carga de combustibles en ecosistemas forestales mediterráneos. Quemas prescritas, una alternativa frente a los métodos mecánicos |
Abstract: |
The management of fuel loading is a vitally important activity in fire prevention programmes in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. The study and analysis of the issue, and the relevant planning and operational management activities have been established as a permanent requirement, both in time and space. The control of fuel loading makes it possible to obtain a spatialised reduction in the energetic intensity of potential fires where control and maintenance operations have been undertaken, and allows fire suppression resources to be moved around in a safe and efficient manner. Control methods based on the mechanical removal and subsequent disposal of the residue have traditionally been, and continue to be the most common means of forest management. The progressive introduction of results based management drawing on scientific investigation in subjects such as fire behaviour and the effects on the natural environment, opens up the possibility of gradually introducing the use of fire in Mediterranean areas in the form of prescribed burning as an extremely efficient tool in programmes aimed at controlling fuel loading. Expertise in forestry models of prescribed burning management provide for the safe, ecological, efficient and effective use of fire as a very useful tool in preparing forest ecosystems to prevent fire. Data is currently data available from a management and experimental project co-financed by the European Union and the Junta de Andalucía (1997-2000) which studied methods of applying prescribed burning in Mediterranean ecosystems. Efforts should subsequently be aimed at progressively introducing the methods developed in the management programmes funded out of annual budgets by the government agencies responsible for the prevention of forest fires. An analytical study providing comparative cost data for mechanical systems and prescribed burning, with special emphasis on describing the properties of the distinct kinds of management based on fuel modelling criteria, will facilitate the incorporation, and therefore the applicability of fire as a tool in the removal of excess fuel loading. This paper considers the costs of both systems and presents a decision matrix to be consulted when activities are planned with the aim of dealing with fuel loading in Mediterranean ecosystems. Before turning to the above-mentioned focus on the costs of the two systems of fuel loading control, it is necessary to set out the methodology employed in designing the fundamental technical requirements to be taken into account when faced with the task of drawing up a region-wide plan with a view to long-term permanency. Such a plan involves setting up a system directed at specific units in the area drawing on support from the governmental procedures and funding required to ensure the ordered management of yearly burning programmes. The shift within the regional burning plan to the use of prescribed burning, guided by the requirement that it be ecologically acceptable and involve spatial-temporal distribution, represents a transfer of the studies and experience accumulated through investigation to their practical implementation in real world forest management situations as a preventative and frequent tool in the fight against forest fires. |
