Francesca Pezzotti Schjetnan

Our forests are burning. As temperatures rise, landscapes become increasingly dry, and one of the most critical factors in determining wildfire spread is soil moisture. Wet soil slows combustion, protects roots and microorganisms, and sustains the ecological networks that allow forests to remain resilient. Without it, forests become fuel.

My degree project explores how carbon can be reactivated to support both prevention and long-term regeneration. It proposes two interventions. The first is a structure designed to act within current forest conditions; this is a clay and biochar form that captures rainwater and atmospheric moisture, retaining it in the soil and maintaining healthy moisture levels to reduce fire risk.

The second is a system for future forests which proposes the installation of modules in forest
nurseries. Each module contains the same amount of carbon that would be released when a tree burns naturally, establishing a direct material equivalence between one burnt tree and one module. Once placed in the soil, each module is designed to influence an area of approximately 25–35cm, supporting moisture retention and localised soil regeneration through extended time frames.

Together, the proposals position moisture retention and carbon cycles as essential tools for sustaining fire-resilient forest ecosystems.