Use natural or artificial regeneration? A dilemma after forest fires

COST FP0701 Training School

Venue: Palm Beach Hotel, Larnaca (Cyprus)
Dates: 13-15 April 2011

Organisers: 
- Department of Forests of Cyprus
- COST Action FP0701 Post-fire Forest Management in Southern Europe
- PHOENIX Project Center – European Forest Institute
- EFIMED - European Forest Institute

Course Coordinator: Mr. Kostas Papageorgiou, Department of Forests, Forest Fire Protection Office, Cyprus
Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

Background and Objectives

After a forest fire, depending on the management objectives, the artificial regeneration of the burned areas is an often used management approach. Either through planting or seeding, there are important scientific and management challenges, related to improving the survival and growth of the introduced plants. On the other hand, and in spite of the often existing political pressure to reforestate burned lands, many Mediterranean species have the capacity to regenerate after fire, from seeds or through resprouting. If managers are able to take advantage of this natural regeneration of many Mediterranean trees, the restoration of burned areas may be achieved with higher success and less costs. The general aim of the school is presenting the most updated scientific and practical knowledge for forest managers and scientists regarding the use of natural or artificial regeneration after fires. 

The specific objectives of the training school are:

  1. to review the plant species traits and regeneration strategies that limit the available post-fire management strategies and options for managers; 
  2. to learn on the available scientific evidence on the pros and cons of using natural versus natural regeneration; 
  3. to learn on the available scientific evidence on techniques for improving plant survival and growth after plantation and seeding;

  4. to learn on the available scientific evidence on techniques for improving the
    management of natural regeneration.

First announcement

Application form for Non-COST candidates (EFIMED grant)