Molina et al. (2026) Contrasting seasonal and ecohydrological controls on LFMC dynamics and implications for dynamic wildfire risk prediction in Aleppo pine

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-18
• Authors: Antonio J. Molina, Laura Blanco-Cano, Javier Pérez-Romero
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111346

Research Groups

• Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC)
• Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Zaragoza

Short Summary

This study investigates the drivers of live fuel moisture content (LFMC) in a mature Pinus halepensis stand in eastern Spain and explores its relationships with ecohydrological processes. The results show that LFMC is primarily controlled by antecedent atmospheric demand and fine dead-fuel moisture.

Objective

• Investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of live fuel moisture content (LFMC) and their relationships with ecohydrological processes in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Local scale, focusing on a mature Pinus halepensis stand in eastern Spain.
• Temporal Scale: 17-month period, with measurements taken at predawn and midday.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Multiple linear models using field variables to estimate LFMC.
• Data sources: Field measurements of soil moisture, potential, stem water content, sap-flow velocity, plant water potential, meteorological variables, and fire-weather indices.

Main Results

• LFMC exhibited low seasonal and diurnal variability, with strong physiological regulation controlling its values.
• Tissue age introduced marked differences in LFMC, particularly between current-year and older needles.
• Predawn LFMC was primarily related to antecedent atmospheric demand (VPD, temperature, humidity) and fine dead-fuel moisture.
• Midday LFMC showed inverse associations with antecedent sap-flow velocity measured at crown height.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the drivers of live fuel moisture content in Mediterranean forests, highlighting the importance of ecohydrological processes in controlling its values.
• The results demonstrate the value of detailed pyro-ecohydrological monitoring in predicting wildfire risk in Aleppo pine forests.

Funding

• This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project code: RTI2018-102013-B-I00) and the European Regional Development Fund.

Citation

@article{Molina2026Contrasting,
  author = {Molina, Antonio J. and Blanco-Cano, Laura and Pérez-Romero, Javier and Campo, Antonio del},
  title = {Contrasting seasonal and ecohydrological controls on LFMC dynamics and implications for dynamic wildfire risk prediction in Aleppo pine},
  journal = {Agricultural and Forest Meteorology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111346},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111346}
}