Postwildfire Landscape Identity in Mediterranean Ecosystems

Three Study Cases from the Coastal Range of Central Chile

Bibliographic Data

ID3775648
AuthorsCarolina G Ojeda (0000-0002-9830-9203, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Edilia Jaque Castillo (0000-0002-6081-4204, University of Concepción), Sandra Fernández Castillo (0000-0001-5361-2324, University of Concepción)
Year2021
Pages1-14
Publication date2021-02-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnnals of the American Association of Geographers (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2469-4452 • E-ISSN: 2469-4460
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/24694452.2020.1850228
OpenAlexW3131963722
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited71

Mediterranean ecosystems have been more frequently exposed to wildfires in recent decades. Those wildfires are caused by changes in land use and land cover that enable extensive forestry and farming. This qualitative research investigates a changing landscape identity related to a subjective perception after cyclical and seasonal wildfires (2012–2017). In this regard, we conducted twelve semistructured interviews among inhabitants from Quillón, Florida, and Yumbel (Mediterranean central Chile). The questions considered elements of the visual landscape, perception, identity, and management policies regarding landscape. Consequently, the core results of the research are the following: (1) Loss of traditional livelihood becomes more important than the damage of physical characteristics of a landscape (land cover, vegetation, and aesthetic features); (2) the relationship between the individual’s perception of the landscape and the identity of the landscape changed drastically, especially before and after 2017 where wildfires followed patterns that were predicted by inhabitants; and (3) the community’s expectations concerning reconstruction aid from the government were turned into frustration and feelings of helplessness. Considering this information, we suggest that a landscape identity is a holistic approach that helps us to understand the changes generated by fire disturbance in biophysical, social, and economic aspects

Agriculture · Cultural landscape · Environmental resource management · Geography · Land cover · Land use · Livelihood · Perception · Fire effects on ecosystems · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Psychology · Urban Green Space and Health · Ecology

Tools

Open DOI