FEVER

Coordinating institution : CNRS
Partner institutions : INRAE | University of Bordeaux | Bouches-du-Rhône Fire Department | CEN PACA | Warucene | Department of Bouches-du-Rhône | Department of Var
Project leader : Bérangère Leys (CNRS)
Project duration : 48 months | 1 December 2025 → 30 November 2029

The FEVER project aims to study the resilience of Mediterranean forest ecosystems to fire. Its main goal is to characterize different fire regimes and analyze their impacts on forest structure, plant diversity, and soil quality in the French Mediterranean region. By examining the frequency, intensity, and extent of both prescribed burns and wildfires, the project seeks to understand the influence of fire on vegetation regeneration, ecosystem resistance, and biodiversity over timescales ranging from decades to millennia. The results will help improve understanding of forest dynamics and post-fire regeneration mechanisms, providing critical insights for long-term forest biodiversity conservation.

The project’s innovative approach relies on a multi-spatial and multi-temporal study, allowing the analysis of fire effects on different types of Mediterranean forests, including laricio black pine , holm oak, downy oak, and Aleppo pine.

Key aspects of the project include :

1. assessing the effects of repeated fires on vegetation flammability in these four main forest types in southern France ;
2. evaluating soil responses (nutrient pools and nutrient cycling) after fire and the cumulative effects over long timescales ;
3. investigating the influence of different forest formations on litter flammability ;
4. examining short and long-term consequences on the functional aspects of these ecosystems.

FEVER is a pioneering project that will advance our understanding of fire-forest ecosystem interactions in the Mediterranean. By combining sediment data, remote sensing, and experimental studies, the project will provide crucial information on the impacts of fire on soil, vegetation, and biodiversity. The findings will inform sustainable forest management strategies, supporting the resilience of Mediterranean forests in the face of increasing fire risk and climate change. The results will be essential for policymakers, forest managers, and conservationists seeking to balance human activities with ecosystem preservation in fire-prone landscapes.

The FEVER project has significant economic and societal implications. It will provide essential data on the resilience of Mediterranean forests and their capacity to adapt to fire disturbances. These informations will contribute to sustainable forest management and the reduction of wildfire risk. The findings will guide national and European strategies, including the EU Forest Strategy 2021-2030, supporting the preservation of vital ecosystem services such as climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.

FEVER will also promote a transition toward more climate-resilient silvicultural practices by providing forest managers with a better understanding of ecological dynamics and fire-forest interactions.