Wildfires Improve Forest Growth Resilience to Drought

In seasonally dry forests, wildfires can reduce competition for soil water among trees and improve forest resilience to drought. We tested this idea by comparing tree-ring growth patterns of Pinus pinea stands subjected two prescribed burning intensities (H, high; L, low) compared them with unburned (U) control in southwestern Spain. Then, we assessed post-growth droughts that occurred before (2005) after (2012) the (2007). Resilience was quantified as changes radial using indices cover greenness NDVI. The NDVI sharply dropped fire, minor drops were also observed 2005 2012 droughts. found post-drought improved H stands, where showed lowest coherence individual correlation year precipitation. contrast, from L site highest correlations precipitation drought index. These findings suggest tree recovered better responded less shortage trees. Therefore, high-intensity fires are linked reduced stress Mediterranean pine forests.