Post-fire environmental assessment: a participatory multi-criteria approach for estimating soil erosion risk and vegetation recovery potential

Although often perceived as destructive, wildfires play a vital ecological role in maintaining the function and biodiversity of fire-adapted ecosystems. However, increasing frequency, intensity, and altered seasonality of fires impede ecosystem recovery by depleting seed banks and disrupting plant maturation cycles. Post-fire soil erosion, usually triggered by the first rains after a fire event, exacerbates these challenges by accelerating nutrient loss and hindering vegetation regeneration, which can lead to ecosystem degradation. To address this risk, it is important to understand the ecosystems' responses to fire. Here, we outline a post-fire ecosystem assessment framework that applies geo-spatial data and participatory multi-criteria analysis (MCA) based on expert judgement and local knowledge. Our methodology includes:•Identifying key factors influencing post-fire soil erosion and vegetation recovery•Assessing and mapping postfire soil erosion risk and vegetation recovery potential•Validating the framework with field data and checking the stability of MCA parameters through sensitivity analysis.This paper extends the original research article by Cristal et al. (2025), offering a comprehensive guide for researchers and environmental professionals on applying participatory MCA in post-fire environmental impact assessments.