Post-fire soils regeneration practices: preliminary studies

Introduction: Wildfires significantly alter soil properties, reducing fertility, organic matter, and biological activity. Objective: To evaluate post-fire soil regeneration practices in Mediterranean environments, comparing natural regeneration with different soil restoration options involving the application of organic material, specifically compost. Methods: Initially, it was made the unburned (UB) and burned (B) areas were characterized, evaluating the effects of fire on the physico-chemical properties of the soil. Then, the 2 areas, UB and B, were used to develop different soil restoration options through the application of composts produced from urban and agroforestry wastes. Results: Fire has a negative impact on soils in terms of both chemical and biological aspects. Although preliminary, the results show that the restoration of burnt soils through the application of compost is an important approach, which appears to improve soil quality whilst contributing to the sustainability of urban and agroforestry waste management. Conclusion: These findings contribute to the development of ecological post-fire management strategies.