Alternativas de gestión del riesgo de incendio forestal en el marco del desarrollo rural

This project expects to analyse the efficiency of wildfire risk management through agricultural practices. For that, it compares the affectation of a fire in Madrona basin (Solsonès, Catalonia), under the current conditions of land management, with three other scenarios. The differences between cases are in the type of fuel management: i) prescribed fires at strategic points, ii) active promotion of silvopastoral activities to prevent fires, and iii) cessation of agricultural activities or non-management scenario. Each scenario has led to a fuel models map, the geographical basis to assess the effect of different treatments on fire behavior, fire-affected area and fire intensity using FARSITE and FlamMap (geo-referenced forest fire simulators). Subsequently, expected expenditures and revenue corresponding to each scenario have been estimated using a cost-benefit analysis, including only those items with market price. The economic indicators used in the study are the Internal Rate of Return, the Net Present Value and the benefit-cost ratio. Simulations with FARSITE have shown that silvopastoral activities could reduce up to 71,5 per cent the fire-affected area in comparison with that in the present situation. They also demonstrated an increase more than twice in fire control. Moreover, the economic balance promoting active landscape management through fire resilient structures is favourable. In fact, fire risk management by means of agroforestry activities reduced up to over 70 per cent fire costs. In addition, if we charge a premium per animal as part of the Rural Development Program, the economic analysis is even better. This support could be an incentive for managers to decide on this option. In such case, the cost benefit ratio after 45 years of management is 1,15. These results are very interesting, especially taking into account that they don’t include environmental and social values promoted by this alternative nor fires recurrence. In fact, being more tolerant to fire, these structures would further optimize investments