Objective Wildfires remove protective vegetation, leaving the landscapes vulnerable to catastrophic erosion, landslides and floods. The resulting losses and mitigation costs following wildfires have increased dramatically in the last 30 years due to (i) the population increase, (ii) the rise in fire severity and torrential rains associated with climatic change, and (iii) critical gaps in and limited transfer of knowledge on fire-effects to support decision making. Major advances have been made in the last decade including the development of cost-risk erosion prediction tools, innovative hillslope stabilization treatments and novel approaches to monitor soil redistribution. In Europe, however, their application in post-fire prevention plans is still in its infancy as the necessary soil-specific calibration and effectiveness testing is missing for most terrain types. In this project I aim to exploit my expertise in Andisols to address this important research and management gap for volcanic regions. These terrains are not only typically very steep, densely populated and highly prone to wildfires, but as they experience some of the most torrential rainfall events worldwide, they are very often subjected to the dramatic consequences of floods, severe water erosion and landslides, which threaten properties and human lives. I propose to use an innovative field, laboratory and modelling approach and carefully chosen implementation programme, involving the validation and application of novel erosion-risk tools. Where applied, these tools will reduce risks to lives and properties, for southern European countries, savings of over €375 million per year can be expected. The collaborative work plan, involving global leaders in academia, industry and management, not only provides me with multidisciplinary and inter-sectorial training of the highest standard. It also ensures the application of the best science and effective knowledge transfer from academia to the end-users. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandrynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changesagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestry Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator SWANSEA UNIVERSITY Net EU contribution € 195 454,80 Address SINGLETON PARK SA2 8PP Swansea United Kingdom See on map Region Wales West Wales and The Valleys Swansea Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 195 454,80