Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a wildfire on vegetation recovery and hydrological processes in a Mediterranean peri-urban system, using remote sensing and hydrological modeling. NDVI and MSAVI<sub>2</sub> time series extracted from burned areas, control plots, and VAR-modeled...

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Main Authors: Evgenia Koltsida, Nikos Mamassis, Evangelos Baltas, Vassilis Andronis, Andreas Kallioras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/24/4745
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author Evgenia Koltsida
Nikos Mamassis
Evangelos Baltas
Vassilis Andronis
Andreas Kallioras
author_facet Evgenia Koltsida
Nikos Mamassis
Evangelos Baltas
Vassilis Andronis
Andreas Kallioras
author_sort Evgenia Koltsida
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a wildfire on vegetation recovery and hydrological processes in a Mediterranean peri-urban system, using remote sensing and hydrological modeling. NDVI and MSAVI<sub>2</sub> time series extracted from burned areas, control plots, and VAR-modeled plots were used to analyze vegetation regeneration. The SWAT model, calibrated for pre-fire conditions due to data limitations, was used to evaluate subbasin-scale hydrological impacts. Results showed limited recovery in the first post-fire year, with vegetation indices remaining lower in burned areas compared to control plots. High- and moderate-burn-severity areas presented the most significant NDVI and MSAVI<sub>2</sub> increases. The SWAT model showed increased water yield, percolation, and surface runoff with reduced evapotranspiration in post-fire conditions. Peak discharges were notably higher during wet periods. Modified land use and soil properties affected the catchment’s hydrological balance, emphasizing the complexities of post-fire catchment dynamics.
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issn 2072-4292
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spelling doaj-art-89f32365429b405e8edbf034b1bd034d2025-08-20T02:01:09ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-12-011624474510.3390/rs16244745Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban CatchmentEvgenia Koltsida0Nikos Mamassis1Evangelos Baltas2Vassilis Andronis3Andreas Kallioras4Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou, 157 80 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Hydrology and Water Resources Development, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou, 157 80 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Hydrology and Water Resources Development, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou, 157 80 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Remote Sensing, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou, 157 80 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou, 157 80 Athens, GreeceThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of a wildfire on vegetation recovery and hydrological processes in a Mediterranean peri-urban system, using remote sensing and hydrological modeling. NDVI and MSAVI<sub>2</sub> time series extracted from burned areas, control plots, and VAR-modeled plots were used to analyze vegetation regeneration. The SWAT model, calibrated for pre-fire conditions due to data limitations, was used to evaluate subbasin-scale hydrological impacts. Results showed limited recovery in the first post-fire year, with vegetation indices remaining lower in burned areas compared to control plots. High- and moderate-burn-severity areas presented the most significant NDVI and MSAVI<sub>2</sub> increases. The SWAT model showed increased water yield, percolation, and surface runoff with reduced evapotranspiration in post-fire conditions. Peak discharges were notably higher during wet periods. Modified land use and soil properties affected the catchment’s hydrological balance, emphasizing the complexities of post-fire catchment dynamics.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/24/4745hydrological processeshydrological modelingSWATwildfireexperimental catchmentremote sensing
spellingShingle Evgenia Koltsida
Nikos Mamassis
Evangelos Baltas
Vassilis Andronis
Andreas Kallioras
Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment
Remote Sensing
hydrological processes
hydrological modeling
SWAT
wildfire
experimental catchment
remote sensing
title Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment
title_full Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment
title_fullStr Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment
title_short Assessment of Post-Fire Impacts on Vegetation Regeneration and Hydrological Processes in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment
title_sort assessment of post fire impacts on vegetation regeneration and hydrological processes in a mediterranean peri urban catchment
topic hydrological processes
hydrological modeling
SWAT
wildfire
experimental catchment
remote sensing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/24/4745
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