Restoring fire-affected soils: The potential of nature-based solutions

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change and human activities, threaten global ecosystems and societies. Urgent soil restoration strategies are needed to combat the resulting land degradation. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are emerging as sustainable methods to revitalize fire-affected soils and improve ecosystem recovery and resilience. Herein we provide an overview of key NBS strategies, namely microbial soil remediation, biochar application, mulching, seeding, and erosion control. Challenges in scaling and standardizing NBS remain and require robust evaluation frameworks. Further research should quantify the effectiveness of NBS, facilitate its integration into policy and mitigation strategies, and promote public and scientific acceptance. NBS offers a proactive approach to address escalating wildfire risks and harness nature's resilience to restore fire-affected landscapes and maintain the delicate balance between communities and ecosystems in the face of growing environmental challenges.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100520
JournalCurrent Opinion in Environmental Science and Health
Volume36
StatePublished - Dec 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023

Keywords

  • Burned soil
  • Land degradation
  • Nature based solution
  • Soil erosion
  • Wildfire

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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