Search Results (469)

Ecological restoration—whether active or passive—includes forest development, forest rehabilitation, and a range of other activities that contribute to ecosystem services. To provide a formal framework, we hypothesized how does reforestation (through different forestry practices) affect the conservation of soil functionality? That is, how does reforestation/afforestation/forest restoration improve soil quality? And, specifically, how do they improve physical properties (such as structural stability, infiltration) and chemical properties (such as acidity, electrical conductivity)? For this purpose, we conducted a bibliometric analysis review of the peer-reviewed scientific literature and research reports of numerous articles in order to compile a large database of forest restoration studies, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean region. The final focus was to obtain conclusions about how it affects soil quality. Overall, our examination confirms that deforestation drives a decline in soil carbon and nitrogen, subsequently impairing microbial activity. Consequently, forest removal frequently leads to accelerated erosion, nutrient depletion, and compaction. In contrast, reforestation acts as a critical intervention, stabilizing soil structure, reestablishing fertility, and enhancing soil quality overall. Additionally, three case studies are synthetically presented concerning the short-, medium-, and long-term results of forest restoration projects carried out mainly in central and northern Spain. These cases corroborate the significant role of forest restoration in the control and enhancement of ecosystem services, particularly in relation to soil improvement, the enhancement of hydrological regulation processes within watersheds (runoff, infiltration, erosion), landscape amelioration, and the socio-economic aspects of rural environments. Ultimately, forest restoration is established as a necessary and essential practice in ecological restoration efforts to counteract the impacts of anthropogenic activities. Full article

Mediterranean forests are increasingly exposed to climate-related risks, including large wildfires, prolonged droughts and rural abandonment, making sustainable forest management (SFM) a key element for climate adaptation and territorial resilience. However, despite its recognised importance, the social acceptance of SFM remains insufficiently understood, particularly in relation to how public perceptions are shaped by media narratives and information ecosystems. This study addresses this gap by analysing the relationship between media framing and social acceptance of SFM in a Mediterranean context. A mixed-methods approach was applied in the Valencian region (Spain), combining (i) a systematic analysis of conventional and digital media, (ii) a system mapping exercise to identify dominant narratives and communication dynamics, and (iii) a population survey (n = 1070) focused on perceptions of forests, climate change and forest management. The results reveal a high level of environmental concern and climate awareness, coexisting with limited knowledge of SFM and simplified or distorted perceptions of forest dynamics. Media coverage is predominantly reactive and event-driven, strongly focused on wildfire events, while preventive and adaptive forest management practices remain largely invisible. In this context, support for SFM increases significantly when management practices are clearly explained and contextualised, indicating that resistance is more closely related to communication gaps than to ideological opposition. These findings highlight the critical role of media framing and communication processes in shaping the social acceptance of SFM. The study contributes to the literature by integrating media analysis and social perception within a forest governance perspective, and provides empirical insights to support more effective communication strategies and policy design in Mediterranean regions facing increasing climate pressures. Full article

Wooden, nature-based barrier structures are widely implemented after wildfire in Mediterranean forests to reduce runoff connectivity and trap sediment, yet their ecological footprint on early plant recovery remains poorly quantified in Greece. We assessed two-year vascular plant recovery in forest landscapes burned during the 2021 wildfire season (Parnitha, Attica; Mavrolimni, Corinthia/Peloponnese) using repeated field surveys in 2022 and 2023. Sixteen permanent plots were established within operational rehabilitation works and assigned to the dominant structure types: wattles (brush/branch piles), contour-oriented hillslope log barriers, and channel log dams. In each year, vascular plant composition and recovery endpoints (species richness and diversity indices, density, cover, and aboveground biomass) were quantified using standardized quadrat sampling. Vegetation cover and biomass increased strongly from 2022 to 2023 at both sites, indicating rapid early reassembly. Against this dominant year effect, structure type was associated with pronounced biodiversity and compositional differences, most clearly in Parnitha where log barriers exhibited markedly reduced diversity in 2022 and community turnover patterns differed among structures. Plot-level PERMANOVA on Bray–Curtis dissimilarities calculated from log(x + 1)-transformed abundances did not detect a statistically significant structure type effect in either year (p > 0.05), whereas descriptive Bray–Curtis heatmaps suggested compositional contrasts among structure type × year combinations. Indicator–species analysis further identified a limited set of taxa associated with specific structures, suggesting provisional structure-linked microsite filtering during early assembly. By quantifying community composition and indicator taxa alongside structural recovery, this study provides operational-scale evidence that common wooden post-fire measures may be associated with early biodiversity signals in the first two years after fire, although these patterns should be regarded as provisional given the short monitoring period and limited replication. Incorporating these signals into post-fire land management can improve intervention design and placement, aligning risk reduction with biodiversity recovery in Mediterranean landscapes. Full article

The soil microbiome is a complex assemblage of microorganisms that are important in restoring and maintaining soil function, ecosystem stability, and sustainable agroecosystem development. However, soil microbial responses to environmental or land-use gradients in agroecosystems and the consequent implications for soil functional integrity and sustainable agroecosystem development remain poorly understood. In this review, we present the current state of the science on: (1) shifts in microbial community composition in response to environmental or land-use gradients within conventional dryland small grains farms, temperate evergreen forests, and riparian areas in the inland Pacific Northwest (iPNW) where the precipitation regime is considered mediterranean, and (2) microbial traits link to soil function as a response to soil health management. Upon conclusion of this review, the lack of information is still apparent in terms of understanding how to intentionally manage the soil microbiome after land-use conversions, especially given that soil health and ecosystem services are driven by the soil microbiome. This review, therefore, motivates future research into the primary land management regimes to better link specific microbial taxa to soil microbial and ecosystem processes across land-use gradients. Full article

Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands, an oomycete pathogen of global relevance, is a major driver of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) decline and mortality in Mediterranean forests. Its management remains challenging in multifunctional landscapes where forestry and agriculture intersect, such as Mediterranean oak dehesas. Conventional fungicides are used against P. cinnamomi, but their negative environmental impacts underscore the need for alternative management in agroforestry systems. This study evaluated whether a commercially available microbial biostimulant, VESTA, enhances physiological performance and mitigates pathogen pressure in Q. suber. Seedlings were inoculated with P. cinnamomi and treated with the bioinoculant via fertigation or watering to substrate saturation, under controlled greenhouse conditions. Plant physiological parameters and soil oomycete inoculum concentrations were measured to assess treatment efficacy. Both application methods significantly improved physiological performance in inoculated and mock-inoculated plants. Photosynthesis, stomatal regulation, and water balance were most affected. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed a strong pathogen reduction, with DNA concentrations approximately tenfold lower in treated substrates (~0.001 ng mL⁻¹) than untreated controls (~0.011 ng mL⁻¹). Overall, the product enhanced Q. suber resilience by improving plant physiological responses and reducing pathogen abundance, supporting its potential as a bio-based tool for nurseries and restoration in Mediterranean ecosystems. Field studies are needed to validate these findings under natural variability and optimize long-term application strategies. Full article

In recent decades, forest disturbances have increased in both frequency and intensity, driven by global warming and urbanization. Remote sensing, together with forest disturbance algorithms, offers broad opportunities for forest disturbance monitoring due to its high temporal and spatial resolution. However, operational methods capable of predicting and classifying disturbances while providing official area estimates suitable for national statistics remain scarce. The Three Indices Three Dimensions (3I3D) algorithm has proven effective in identifying forest changes and providing area estimates in Mediterranean ecosystems using Sentinel-2 imagery. Yet, while suitable for change detection, it does not distinguish among disturbance types. Here, we propose a two-step framework for forest disturbance detection and classification, tested in inland Spain for 2018. First, a binary forest change map is produced through an enhanced version of the 3I3D approach. This step incorporates Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to calibrate the algorithm through data-driven threshold selection, allowing adaptation to specific regional conditions. Second, detected changes are classified into four disturbance types: wildfire, clear-cut, thinning, and non-stand replacing disturbance, using Sentinel-2 spectral bands, 3I3D-derived metrics, and geometric descriptors of disturbance patches. Three machine-learning classifiers were compared: Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Neural Network. The detection step reached an overall accuracy of 82%, estimating that 1.43% of Spanish forests (264,900 ha) were disturbed in 2018. In the classification step, Random Forest achieved the best performance, with an overall accuracy of 72%. Of the detected disturbed area, 69% corresponded to non-stand replacing disturbances, while the remaining area was classified as thinnings (19%), wildfires (26%), and clear-cuts (55%). By integrating freely available Sentinel-2 imagery, remote sensing algorithms, and photo-interpreted reference datasets, this study provides a scalable and operational approach capable of producing annual disturbance maps that combine both detection and classification of high- and low-intensity disturbances, supporting official national-scale estimates of forest disturbance areas. Full article

The management of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), key vectors of arboviruses like West Nile virus, necessitates sustainable alternatives to chemical insecticides. This study screened indigenous entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) from forest soils in Achaia, Greece, for their larvicidal efficacy against Cx. pipiens biotype molestus. Fifteen fungal isolates were obtained via insect baiting and identified as Beauveria and Metarhizium species. A comprehensive bioassay at 1 × 10⁸ conidia mL⁻¹ revealed significant variation in pathogenicity after 72 h. Two isolates, Beauveria bassiana (BB) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and Metarhizium anisopliae (K3(1)) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), exhibited the highest virulence among the tested isolates, each causing 60% mortality with a rapid median lethal time (LT₅₀) of ~18.5 h. Survival analysis, Cox modeling, and non-linear kinetic modeling (Gompertz/Richards) classified three distinct virulence clusters: high/rapid, moderate/consistent, and low/delayed. A pathogenicity network analysis and a composite virulence index further validated BB and K3(1) as the most effective candidates. These results demonstrate the high isolate specificity of fungal efficacy and underscore the importance of screening local fungal diversity. The identified high-virulence isolates represent promising, environmentally sound candidates for the development of targeted biopesticides. Future research should focus on formulation for aquatic environments and integration into resistance-resilient integrated vector management programs. Full article

Peri-urban ecosystems represent underexplored habitats rich in entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) that can serve as valuable resources for managing insect pests. This study characterized the EPF communities in two peri-urban sites near Patras, Greece (Dasyllio and Elos), during 2018–2019. Soil samples were collected seasonally, and fungi were isolated using insect baiting with Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch., a selective method favoring generalist, fast-acting entomopathogens. A total of 814 isolates were recovered. Of a randomly selected subset (n = 177) subjected to molecular identification, 46.9% were characterized as known EPF, while 53.1% were classified as putative EPF based on taxonomic affiliation (ITS sequence similarity ≥ 99%), pending confirmation of pathogenicity. The Dasyllio site yielded more isolates (63.4%) than Elos (36.6%). Seasonal trends strongly influenced EPF occurrence, with infective fungi peaking in spring and summer (p < 0.001), while community diversity remained stable throughout the year, with the highest evenness (Evenness Index = 0.93) observed in autumn. These results highlight peri-urban green spaces as reservoirs of diverse and ecologically stable EPF, suggesting their potential as sources of biocontrol agents for future development and seasonal integration into pest management strategies. Full article

Drought-induced tree mortality is a growing threat to Mediterranean ecosystems, which host high biodiversity but face increasing water stress under climate change. Detecting mortality over large areas with satellite data remains challenging due to open canopies and mixed pixels that obscure vegetation signals. This study evaluates the performance of two widely used vegetation indices—the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI)—alongside a novel application of Spectral Unmixing derived vegetation cover Spectral Unmixing (SU) within the LandTrendr algorithm to track tree mortality in southwest Crete, Greece. High-resolution Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) imagery was used to validate satellite observations, demonstrating strong agreement with field data ($R^2$ = 0.95) and confirming its suitability as reference data. LandTrendr applied to NDVI, NDWI, and SU detected major mortality events between 1995 and 2008, with SU identifying the largest affected area. While NDVI and NDWI achieved higher accuracy in distinguishing unaffected plots, SU performed best at detecting mortality. Regression analysis revealed a limited ability of all approaches to quantify mortality magnitude, though SU improved when high-mortality plots were excluded. Overall, NDVI effectively tracked canopy changes, NDWI provided early warnings of drought stress, and SU reduced soil interference to better capture mortality patterns. By integrating satellite time series with UAS validation, this study demonstrates a scalable approach for detecting forest decline and offers actionable insights to guide Mediterranean forest management under increasing drought pressure. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fire is a dominant ecological force in Mediterranean ecosystems, shaping the adaptive traits of forest species such as Pinus brutia. Prescribed burning (also called controlled burning) is the intentional, carefully planned use of fire under specific environmental conditions to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk. While morphological and physiological fire adaptations are well-documented, emerging evidence highlights the role of epigenetic mechanisms—such as DNA methylation and histone modifications—in mediating stress responses. Methods: This study investigates genome-wide epigenetic changes in P. brutia following a prescribed burning experiment on Chios Island, Greece. Using methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) analysis, we compared temporal shifts on epigenetic profiles before and after fire exposure extracting DNA from the same trees. Results: A significant increase in polymorphic epiloci, epigenetic diversity indices, and private epigenetic bands after prescribed burning was revealed, suggesting a stress-induced reprogramming of the epigenome. Concurrent measurements of midday needle water potential indicated an exploratory association between water stress and epigenetic shifts. Furthermore, Fireline Intensity (FI) correlated with epigenetic diversity index signaling an immediate response of the tree. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that fire stress induces epigenetic responses in P. brutia, potentially enhancing resilience to future environmental challenges. Further research is required to address the level of heritability of these epigenetic changes in next generation and connect these indexes with adaptation and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Full article

In August 2023, a large forest fire burned more than 60% of the Dadia–Lefkimi–Soufli Forest National Park in northeastern Greece, following another large fire in 2022. To quantify the effects of these fires on local herpetofauna, we analyzed community composition, abundance, and diversity before and after the 2023 event. Standardized visual encounter surveys were conducted across 29 sites between 2015 and 2024, spanning burned and unburned areas. Species richness, abundance, and diversity metrics, together with Bray–Curtis community dissimilarities, were compared across sampling periods and fire-severity classes. Amphibian assemblages showed high postfire persistence, with 82% of regional species still detected and no significant changes in diversity indices, likely reflecting the buffering role of perennial streams and other hydrologically stable refugia. In contrast, reptile communities showed clear compositional shifts and experienced severe declines: overall reptile species richness decreased to 30% of prefire levels and diversity indices dropped significantly. Tortoises (i.e., Testudo graeca, T. hermanni) declined by nearly 90% relative to prefire estimates, indicating high vulnerability of low-mobility, long-lived species. Snakes were not detected in any burned sites, whereas only a few small-bodied lizards and the freshwater turtle Mauremys rivulata persisted locally. These findings demonstrate that extreme, landscape-scale fires can restructure reptile communities in Mediterranean forests, particularly where long-term habitat change and drought had already reduced population resilience. The study underscores the need for targeted postfire restoration, conservation planning for slow-dispersing taxa, and long-term biodiversity monitoring under increasingly frequent fire regimes. Full article

This study comprehensively evaluates the elemental composition of soil and Pinus species needle samples across 25 distinct plots established along the D825 highway in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Located at the confluence of the Mediterranean, East Anatolian, and Central Anatolian regions, this area represents a critical ecological transition zone. A total of 75 soil and 75 needle samples were analyzed in triplicate to assess heavy metal contamination and potential toxicity risks across these elevation gradients. According to the results, the Geoaccumulation Index (I_geo) values for all examined metals remained below zero, categorizing the study area as “unpolluted.” Enrichment Factor (EF) analyses confirmed the lithogenic origin of Cr, Mn, and Ni; however, Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) exhibited an EF of 1.34. This ‘minimal enrichment’ could potentially be associated with anthropogenic pressures, possibly stemming from traffic emissions on the highway. Although current metal levels fall below global toxicity thresholds (WHO/FAO), the positive skewness and high variation in Pb and Cd distributions suggest a likelihood of localized accumulation, which may warrant systematic monitoring. The original contribution of this study lies in its integrated assessment of plant–soil barrier mechanisms within this unique transition zone, demonstrating how forest ecosystems maintain resilience capacity despite ophiolitic parent material contributions. While soil Cr and Ni levels were elevated due to the geological structure, plant tissue concentrations remained within safe physiological limits, suggesting effective stabilization within the soil-biomass matrix. The findings suggest that these forest ecosystems play a key role in maintaining ecological health and environmental sustainability against potential anthropogenic encroachment in this strategic intersection. Full article

Climate-smart forestry (CSF) is a comprehensive approach that aims to sustainably enhance wood productivity (production), improve forest resilience and adaptation, sequester carbon (mitigation), and support broader development goals. This strategy is profoundly linked with Forest Genetic Resources (FGR), which are crucial for the adaptive capacity and long-term sustainability of forest ecosystems in the face of the escalating climatic changes. Climate change presents significant risks, including increased air temperatures, altered precipitation regimes, and a rise in extreme weather events, leading to tree mortality, shifts in vegetation distribution, and a potential loss of critical forest functions and services, such as carbon sequestration capacity. While forests have inherent resilience, the rapidity and magnitude of projected changes may exceed their natural adaptive capacity, potentially resulting in local extinction and degradation of ecosystems. This review explores various facets of the interplay between CSF and FGR, emphasizing their role in sustainable forest management. Key areas of focus include: (1) Genetic Diversity, (2) Genotype Selection and Breeding, (3) Modern Breeding Techniques, (4) Molecular Breeding, (5) Genomic Prediction (GP), (6) Breeding Programs, (7) Silvicultural Practices, (8) Adaptation Mechanisms, (9) Phenotypic Plasticity, (10) Migration, particularly Assisted Gene Flow (AGF) and (11) Reproductive Material Management. Ultimately, the study highlights the crucial role of FGR in the resilience of forest ecosystems and proposes future actions for their integration into CSF strategies, including in situ and ex situ conservation, assisted migration, advanced research and development, community involvement, and supportive policy frameworks, all vital for the long-term sustainability and vitality of forest ecosystems in a changing climate. Full article

Priority habitat 91E0* (alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior) constitutes a key riparian biodiversity hotspot, yet it is increasingly threatened by woody invasions that alter the community composition and reduce the habitat’s heterogeneity. Ten permanent plots (15 m radius) were surveyed in the Nestos River delta (NE Greece) in 2019 and 2023, following a manual control campaign conducted in 2021, targeting Amorpha fruticosa and Acer negundo. Because systematic plot-level vegetation data were collected only in 2019 and 2023, the study evaluates before–after changes rather than continuous annual dynamics. Woody species composition and diversity, community turnover (Bray–Curtis dissimilarites/PCoA; PERMANOVA), invasive dynamics (negative binomial GLMs), and community-weighted Ellenberg-type indicator values and their relationships with the soil properties (0–30 cm) were assessed. Across the surveys, 18 woody taxa were recorded, dominated by native riparian trees and shrubs, together with four established alien species. The total alien abundance declined from 943 to 385 individuals between 2019 and 2023, driven by A. negundo (−68%) and A. fruticosa (−39%). The woody community composition differed significantly between years (R² = 0.12; p = 0.013) and river banks, whereas plot-scale diversity indices changed modestly and evenness increased. The mean community-weighted moisture affinity increased (CWM_F: 6.28 → 7.07), nutrient affinity remained high, and reaction values declined slightly. The soil’s properties did not differ between the treated and control plots; nevertheless, Shannon diversity was positively correlated with organic C, total N, exchangeable Ca and K, and clay content. Permanent plot resurveys thatintegrate soil properties and indicator-based community metrics provide robust baselines to support Article 17 reporting under the EU Habitats Directive and to guide spatially targeted invasive-species management in Mediterranean alluvial forests (habitat 91E0) undergoing restoration actions. Full article

This study investigates the diversity and spatial distribution of Fucalean stands within the Ustica Island Marine Protected Area (MPA). Field surveys were carried out in autumn 2024 and summer 2025 using scuba diving and snorkeling across the three protection zones (A, B, and C). Overall, 20 fucoid taxa at the specific and infraspecific level were recorded: 11 in zone A, 19 in zone B, and 16 in zone C. Comparison with historical data confirmed the persistence of 18 taxa previously recorded for Ustica Island. Notably, two species are reported here for the first time: the expanding non-indigenous Sargassum furcatum and the rare Mediterranean endemic S. trichocarpum. Additionally, the rediscovery of Sargassum cf. hornschuchii after approximately 40 years suggests that the Ustica Island MPA may provide suitable environmental conditions for the persistence of rare and conservation-relevant Fucalean species. Overall, the results indicate a high and comparatively stable Fucalean diversity within the MPA, particularly in zones subject to regulated human activities. These findings highlight the importance of continuing the actions for protection and regular monitoring of Fucalean forests, which represent key ecosystem-engineering habitats in the Mediterranean Sea. Full article