Rewilding.. the scourge of modern times.
Did u know that Spain, 100 years ago, was 15% forest?
Today, it’s 40% – shocking.
The increase in Spanish forests hasn’t been due to a proactive rewilding programme, more the result of rural depopulation leading to the natural reclamation by forests and scrub of abandoned farmland.
The intensity of the wildfires in Spain and France this year is largely due to an unusually wet winter permitting exceptional spring growth of the understorey in forests, which then became ‘tinder’ during the ensuing drought and high temperatures.
Given the damage caused to the canopy of trees, which permits light to reach the forest floor boosting understorey growth, this is likely to happen again next year assuming a similar scenario of hot dry summer following a wet winter.
Controlled Winter burning of portions of heathland, etc help,come Summer, to restrict wildfires ignited by humans, lightning, etc. Even here in the UK certain organisations have messed up, trying to restrict land/vegetation management, all in the name of rewilding
I won’t question your assertion about organisations ‘messing up’ as I don’t know but I largely agree with the practice of controlled winter burning of heath and moorland; a practice that’s been carried out for centuries such as the ‘swaling’ of gorse and heather on Dartmoor of which local lad Richard 88 might be aware.
The fire at RSPB Minsmere and the nearby National Trust heathland in Suffolk is most unfortunate but it will cause no lasting damage and presents an excellent opportunity to monitor natural regeneration over the coming years.