Assessing the impact of recurrent wildfires and tourist activities in a Mediterranean area

The coastal landscapes of Sardinia are characterized by a mosaic of beaches, protected areas and lands subjected to several anthropogenic disturbances. The wildland fire can be considered as a permanent disturbance that induces changes in the spatial pattern of vegetation, canopy cover, and soil properties. The structural characteristics of fire prone species can support the action of other disturbances. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of both wildland fire and touristic activities on the coastal area of northern Sardinia. A coastal area was sampled by the line intercept method in order to characterize the vegetation. The study found differences in species composition, plant cover, and plant height that can be attributed primarily to the effect of fire, but also to the increased vulnerability of the fire prone ecosystems to the other disturbances.