Climatic conditions are extremely important for the start and spread of forest fires. Flammability and the spread of fire are sensitive to the interactions of variables within ecosystems, such as weather, fuel, and topography. Certain variables are highly significant for forest fires and are applied in various models, particularly the moisture content of potential fuel, and its flammability or combustibility. However, such these models cannot determine the true values of the required variables, unlike actual empirical research. Areas with the highest number of fires show significant variability and differences in air temperature, humidity, and precipitation. These factors have a strong influence on flammability, combustibility, and moisture content of Mediterranean species. This study analyses the flammability and combustibility of two Mediterranean species important for the Adriatic area in Croatia: climazonal holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) as an important conifer for afforestation and reforestation. The results of linear correlation coefficients of flammability of these species at the studied localities show a statistically significant and very strong correlation between flammability and the moisture content of the tested sample, with the exception of Aleppo pine on the island of Rab. The analysis of variance of combustibility showed that there were no statistically significant differences between nearly all variables tested. The results indicate the significant effect of live fuel moisture content on the flammability and combustibility of natural fuels.

This study outlines research performed on experimental plots established in forest plantations and in natural black pine forests. The objective of the study was to determine the habitat factors that have the greatest impact on the growth and development of natural black pine forests and black pine forests plantations upon the return of climatozonal vegetation. Plots 625 m² in size were selected and vegetation inventories made, and the structural elements of black pine plantations examined. Multivariate analysis found that elevation and slope were the two variables that had the highest positive correlation with the floristic composition of the vegetation. Furthermore, one of the goals was to determine the differences with regard to reforestation with black pine. The analysis of the isolated experimental plots showed a clear grouping of plots according to habitat factors. The differences in the synecological factors in the research area resulted in the presence of sub-Mediterranean, epi-Mediterranean and eu-Mediterranean elements within the black pine forest plantations. This also reduces the risk of the occurrence and development of large wildfires.

U vegetacijskom smislu, šume hrasta crnike sastavni su dio mediteranske regije, a hrast crnika se pojavljuje kao edifikator klimatogene zajednice vazdazelenog pojasa. Tijek razvoja vegetacije u smislu progresije i regresije prikazan je...

Climate conditions have long been recognised as an important factor influencing the start and spread of forest fires in Mediterranean areas. This is partly due to the long dry periods that characterise these regions. Mixed forest ecosystems are more stable than monocultures. This study was conducted at two sites, the city of Makarska (the southern coast of the Croatian Mediterranean) and the island of Rab (the northern island of the Croatian Mediterranean). The main variables examined, flammability, combustion and the moisture content of potential forest fuel, best define the start and spread of fires. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of climate factors on these variables using the example of mock privet (Phillyrea latifolia L.). The results showed that moisture content of fuel was a key variable in direct correlation with the influence of climate factors. Though the Mediterranean region is burdened by fires and they will continue to occur in the future due to changing conditions, the study results can contribute to reducing burned areas in fires for the purpose of preserving Mediterranean ecosystems.