A Participatory Multi-Criteria Approach to Select Areas for Post-Fire Restoration After Extreme Wildfire Events

Abstract

Extreme wildfire events (EWEs) are becoming increasingly frequent in Mediterranean regions, posing significant threats to ecosystems. This study aimed to support post-fire restoration planning by developing a prioritization framework that categorizes areas according to different levels of vulnerability to the adverse impacts of EWEs. We developed a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach to classify these areas within a fire perimeter. The process begins with the collection of available spatial data to assess the pre- and post-fire conditions. Following this, a set of criteria and sub-criteria was established through a participatory approach with local stakeholders. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine stakeholders’ preferences, which were then processed using the Criterium Decision Plus (CDP) version 4 software to support problem modeling. A combined consistency check was applied to ensure both individual coherence and group agreement. Finally, the methodology was integrated using the Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) software version 9, resulting in a spatial prioritization map that visually represents the levels of restoration priority and serves as a decision-support tool for post-fire restoration planning. Both the process and its results are discussed for an application to a large fire perimeter in the Vale do Sousa forested landscape.

This research received funding from H2020-LCGD-2020-3/101037419, titled “FIRE-RES— Innovative technologies and socio-ecological economic solutions for fire resilient territories in Europe,” funded by the EU Horizon 2020—Research and Innovation Framework Program. This work was also funded by the Forest Research Center (UIDB/00239: Centro de Estudos Florestais and by Associate Laboratory TERRA. The Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) also funded this research in the scope of Norma Transitória—DL57/2016/CP1382/CT15.