Restoring fire-affected soils: The potential of nature-based solutions

Abstract

Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change and human activities, threaten global ecosystems and societies. Urgent soil restoration strategies are needed to combat the resulting land degradation. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are emerging as sustainable methods to revitalize fire-affected soils and improve ecosystem recovery and resilience. Herein we provide an overview of key NBS strategies, namely microbial soil remediation, biochar application, mulching, seeding, and erosion control. Challenges in scaling and standardizing NBS remain and require robust evaluation frameworks. Further research should quantify the effectiveness of NBS, facilitate its integration into policy and mitigation strategies, and promote public and scientific acceptance. NBS offers a proactive approach to address escalating wildfire risks and harness nature's resilience to restore fire-affected landscapes and maintain the delicate balance between communities and ecosystems in the face of growing environmental challenges.