Forest fires social and climate change in Cyprus

Abstract

Forest fires and wildfires are increasing in many regions of the world and give the big impact on the environment, local economies, livelihoods, and societies. Cyprus is an island member of the European Union in the south-eastern Mediterranean and it is severely affected by wild fires. The aim of this paper is to review the pertinent, recent literature (which although not exhaustive, identifies the main contributing factors) mostly in the Mediterranean region and to identify the variables that affect the rise in the number and intensity of forest fires, wildfires and how these variables are affecting Cyprus. This research was conducted by using statistical data made by the Cyprus Statistical Service. By compiling the data of climatology, demography, agricultural production, and forest fire incidents, some results were found. The increased forest fires were caused by the rise of the average annual mean temperature in the period of 1990-2021, the change in social conditions and agricultural land use with the urbanization of people living around the forest areas, and the conservative policies adopted by successive administrations with reference to forest management and conservation.