Linking past, present and future pathways to fire adaptation: a transdisciplinary approach in Mediterranean Europe

Summary

Fire is a complex natural and cultural element that cannot be managed through suppression or hazard reduction alone. Changes in land use and climate are worsening fire's impacts on ecosystems and communities, while many of the cultural and ecological benefits of fire have been lost or ignored. Addressing this challenge requires complex thinking, and transdisciplinary research is well-suited for this task. Therefore, this thesis aimed to develop a practical transdisciplinary framework and test transdisciplinary approaches to reduce wildfire risk as part of sustainable rural development. The findings encouraged engagement in complex systems science, promoted learning, built relationships, and inspired creative thinking, exploring possibilities for change in governance and social structures.