Leave the responsibility of forest restoration to nature: Researchers
By Deepak Kunddu
Many parts of the forests are being destroyed every year due to wildfires and natural and human-made causes. Various programs are being taken up all over the globe to protect the forest and the environment. We have already seen that many forests have destroyed as a result of fires.
Houses with many plants have burnt. On the other hand, climate change has caused various problems in nature. At present, people are busy planting trees. However, research has shown nature itself can heal three times faster than human-made trees.
When people plant trees, nature is filling its place three times earlier than it takes to grow. DW has published a research report on fire and climate outside the city of Treuenbrietzen in eastern Germany.
Without leaving the forest in nature’s care, people have planted rows of trees and built forests of their choice. In the face of increasing wildfires, researchers suggest leaving the task of restoring the forest to nature.
Beach, maple or aspen – whatever the tree, two German researchers, Janet Bloomroder and Pierre Ibis, are happy to see any member of that species. About a year ago, they began documenting all sorts of changes, large and small, in a part of the forest devastated by the fire.
“It’s happening as I expected and wanted it to happen,” Ibis said of his experience. The ecosystem is recovering, and some species, such as aspen, are rapidly returning and spreading. The changes that this tree has brought to the whole area are benefiting other species.”
Innovative Test
In 2018, a fire outside the town of Treuenbrietzen in eastern Germany destroyed about four square kilometers of forest. It is seen that after the fire, the whole area usually clear, and new trees plant, as is done on the privately owned land. However, not much has been done on another land under a government-funded project. The dead trees were not removed from there.
Dietrich Hengke, a local Forest Department official, is examining an alternative solution. He is removing most of the dead pine trees and planting other species in the area. This initiative aims to create a mixed forest of different species of trees like oak and poplar.
“I wanted to see what kind of trees could be used, how old they should be before transplanting,” said Hengke. He added, “It’s important to run an experiment to get the full picture.”
To that end, he enlisted the help of two researchers. They have come to find the best way to rehabilitate a forest that has been destroyed by fire with human intervention or in a natural order and adapt it to the
contemporary climate.
Observation instead of intervention
Instead of intervening, they are focusing on monitoring. They are getting a rare opportunity to notice which species of plants and animals are nesting there. “Repairing the damage that people have done is now the norm.
In most cases, we do not give nature enough time and space to do that. That’s why we miss the opportunity to learn from nature,” said Pierre Ibish.
Two researchers have found that the wood of a dead tree provides shade and makes the soil more fertile by falling to the ground. The wood produces more Hamas or rotten compost, which helps the soil moisture more.
The small-scale work that Hengke has done in the experimental area does not fall within the traditional management of the forest department. It is challenging to reach that place by car. He has kept the area out of the reach of large animals by fencing around it.
He did not touch several dead trees. The leaves were not removed to maintain adequate soil moisture even during drought. Dietrich Hengke thinks large-scale wildfires have seen in the area. He wants to learn how to take appropriate steps to continue like this.
That’s why Janet Bloomroder came there as a researcher. He has been collecting data on soil moisture and temperature for some time. He is also looking at which trees and animals are nesting there and how they affect the ecosystem as a whole.
Knowledge gained through research
Eight more research institutes are involved in this project. The data collected over the five years of the project is being sorted at a university near Berlin. “According to our data, the rate of reforestation in the natural process is much higher. People can’t compete with it by planting trees. We have seen that three times as many poplar trees have taken their place as human pine and oak trees. “Bloomberg said.
These researchers are also part of an international network. They are keen to hear from their colleagues in the United States and the Mediterranean. They also want to know if the forest ecosystem can strengthen. “It’s really important to share our work experience,” said Pierre Ibish. “With this, we can compare between biome and large ecological areas. That way we can talk about the general trend.”
Multiple studies have become clear that the remnants of trees damaged or destroyed in severe fires also help reforest the forest ecosystem. In other words, there is an argument for leaving nature alone!
Ref: Green Page
