translated from Spanish: Scientists warn of environmental challenges to prevent and control forest fires

History repeats itself. The fire has returned to acquire a sad role in much of the country, registering this season one 8% increase in forest fires that in 2017 and 2018, according to the national forest Corporation (CONAF). While talking about the weather and the “rule of 30”, in Chile there are other elements linked, and human origin, that promote these events, such as the population growth, forest plantations and the lack of protection of native ecosystems.
“In Chile there is much talk of combat the fire, increases the number of brigades, planes and helicopters, which is good, but we are quite the should on what is to prepare the ecosystems so that they are less prone to the occurrence of fire.” , warns Rafael García, researcher at the laboratory of biological invasions, initiative of the Institute of ecology and biodiversity (IEB) and the Universidad de Concepción.
“The drying with heat are obviously gatillantes of fire”, points on the same line Juan Armesto, IEB scientist and academician of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. “Currently, we have a season, but that does not mean that there are no other underlying factors that influence. One of the most important is that the human population, in urban and peri-urban areas, has increased,”added.
Burned forest disturbance of ecosystems in that sense, the constant modification of the landscape brings an alteration and disturbance of ecosystems. For example, native forests, characterized by its greater heterogeneity of species, have been replaced by exotic plantations of pine and eucalyptus, which are homogeneous and more flammable, while human expansion sites dominated by the vegetation increases the risk.
In addition, the context of climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of dry and warm events.
In this way, the combination of high temperatures, drought, the vegetable fuel available and human action (whether intentional or accidental), make up the “perfect recipe” for disaster.
Beyond the climate Armesto explains that, unlike what happens in other countries, natural fires have not been typical of Chilean ecosystems. “It means that all that is new for plants and animals. This has impact on the decline of their populations, many of which could become extinct, and also promotes the spread of invasive alien species that take advantage of the spaces.”
Garcia agrees: “there are many exotic species such as pine, el aromo, retamilla, coexist with (native) species which are much more favoured”.
“If every time we have more fires, the native forest is recovering less than advanced alien species, and hence generates a total turnover, product of an interaction between two processes: the invasion of exotic species and forest fires”, adds.
Therefore, some short-term measures consist in limiting the use of fire, how to remove burns to enable sites or get rid of waste, banning campfires in wilderness areas, and educate about the causes and impacts of these events.
Restoration of the native forest researcher of the laboratory of biological invasions stresses that “any action with fire, in summer and drought conditions, is a potential fire, even if one thinks that he can control it.”
Native forest in Ancud, Chiloé. Credit Daniel married A this adds “preventive forestry” or handling of fuels, which modifies, sorts or removes vegetation and its waste to avoid ignitions, or failing to slow its advance.
In addition, the conservation and restoration of the native forest not only contribute heterogeneity and decrease the flammability of the landscape, but also to buffer the effects of climate change.
However, for the restoration and reforestation efforts must be accompanied by a system of prevention and monitoring permanent, something that does not occur in all cases.
Armesto ensures that “concern for care so that those places do not become to burn also has to exist. That means monitoring and an investment in different ways.”
“Is needed, once a site was affected by a fire, not returns to occur over a long time period, the vegetation that is back to settle and play is back,” stressed Garcia.

Original source in Spanish