GIS-based Probability Assessment of Natural Hazards in Forested Landscapes of Central and South-Eastern Europe

Abstract

We assessed the probability of three major natural hazards--windthrow, drought, and forest fire--for Central and South-Eastern European forests which are major threats for the provision of forest goods and ecosystem services. In addition, we analyzed spatial distribution and implications for a future oriented management of forested landscapes. For estimating the probability of windthrow, we used rooting depth and average wind speed. Probabilities of drought and fire were calculated from climatic and total water balance during growing season. As an approximation to climate change scenarios, we used a simplified approach with a general increase of pET by 20%. Monitoring data from the pan-European forests crown condition program and observed burnt areas and hot spots from the European Forest Fire Information System were used to test the plausibility of probability maps. Regions with high probabilities of natural hazard are identified and management strategies to minimize probability of natural hazards are discussed. We suggest future research should focus on (i) estimating probabilities using process based models (including sensitivity analysis), (ii) defining probability in terms of economic loss, (iii) including biotic hazards, (iv) using more detailed data sets on natural hazards, forest inventories and climate change scenarios, and (v) developing a framework of adaptive risk management.

Post-fire analysis of pre-fire mapping of fire-risk: A recent case study from Mt. Carmel (Israel)

“…Our approach was then adopted in several other case studies (e.g. Bar Massada et al, 2009;Ager et al, 2010;Lorz et al, 2010).…”

Potential contributions of remote sensing to ecosystem service assessments

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Methods for visualizing the explosive remnants of war

“…Lorz et al (2010) and others, hazard mapping has become of significant interest for its applications in financial and environmental risk management. The mapping of hazards and disasters (e.g., floods, fires, earthquakes, cyclones, and volcanic eruptions) is widespread, especially in the form of maps or web map services (WMS) on interactive global data platforms (ESA 2011, GEO 2011, Giuliani and Peduzzi 2011, and many others).…”