Forest fires: social aspects

Endorsed by
DRMKC
Motivation

Understanding how the changes in social and economic characteristics of the population can create conditions of increased fire across the various regions and countries, is a prerequisite to reduce the level of exposure of local communities through better landscape planning.

Potential Solutions
Following solutions could be addressing this gap.

Vegetation characteristics and types are major components in determining fire-hazard in a given area. LULC types may vary across areas as they usually reflect the social and economic structures of local communities. Significant changes in LULC occurred in Euro-Med countries during the second half of the last century, notably abandonment of agricultural areas, resultingin an increase of landscape fire-hazard.

Understanding how the changes in social and economic characteristics of the population can create conditions of increased fire across the various regions and countries, is a prerequisite to reduce the level of exposure of local communities through better landscape planning. Moreover, understanding people’s perceptions and values, and how they vary across social strata, is also important to implement fire policies and fire management activities tailored to local contexts.

Rationale & related CM function(s)

Study how social context more directly affects fires and how policies and management in rural areas differentially affect fire hazard across varied social and economic contest throughout Europe
Assess fire preparedness of local communities, especially among the most vulnerable groups (eg. tourists, elderly people)
Integrate Social Sciences and Humanities in forest fires research studies
Improve the knowledge on social values and attitudes to recognize what policies or actions may get public support, or to develop information or education campaigns
Provenance
DRKMC gaps explorer: Forest Fires/Social Aspects
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