Leave the burned forests; Artificial planting is prohibited

According to IsnaDuring the last two decades, Iran’s forests have faced one of the most intense periods of fire; Events whose scope has been extended from Hyrkani to Zagros and from oak forests to semi-arid pastures. Rising temperatures, long periods of drought, loss of soil moisture and continuous human pressures have created conditions where the slightest error or intervention can lead to widespread and long-lasting fires. Meanwhile, a significant part of the burned areas have never had the opportunity to return to nature, because after the fire extinguished, scientific and sustainable management for protection and monitoring has not been applied.

Ecologists emphasize that the most important stage of saving a forest ecosystem is the “post-fire” stage; the period in which the forest must be flooded to enter the process of “ecological succession”; A completely natural process that, in the absence of human intervention, can lead to the local and sustainable restoration of flora and fauna. However, in many areas, the introduction of livestock, wood harvesting, soil degradation and even land use change destroys this opportunity for restoration and multiplies the damage.

In such a situation, it is necessary to scientifically investigate fires and clarify their origin and consequences. In the upcoming interview, Dr. Hossein Akhani – a professor at Tehran University’s Science Campus and one of the leading specialists in plant ecology – explains the origin of forest fires in Iran, its extensive effects on the ecosystem and management needs after the fire.

Forests burn intentionally

Dr. Hossein Akhani, a professor at the Science Campus and a researcher in the field of environment at Tehran University, in an interview with ISNA Referring to the incidents of fire in the country’s forests and emphasizing that we do not have natural fires in Iran’s forests, he said: “In some regions of the world, such as the Mediterranean, California, Chile, and similar areas, natural fires occur, but the weather conditions of Iran and the type of vegetation in the country’s forests show that none of the fires in Iran’s forests are of natural origin.”

He added: Based on this, all forest fires in Iran are of human origin.

Referring to the widespread effects of forest fires on the country’s climate and environment, Akhani said: the occurrence of a fire causes the loss of a large part of biodiversity; A variety that has been formed in these areas over many years. Biomasses including plant and animal species are exposed to serious damage and habitats are severely destroyed.

Forest fires are intentional

Professor of Science Campus and environmental researcher of Tehran University emphasized: Many forest fires in the country are “intentional” and the perpetrators seek to destroy the ecosystem with goals such as land use change, wood collection or agricultural development. In the current climatic conditions and lack of water resources, any fire will have irreparable effects on the ecosystem.

Akhani explained about the motives behind the fires: Assuming that these fires are intentional, some people deliberately set the fire to change the land use or to create an excuse to collect wood or create a place for grazing. The perpetrators of these incidents sometimes set fires with the aim of developing agricultural lands or to secure personal benefits, and as a result, they try to make those areas out of their natural state.

He clarified: In many cases, the motivation of these groups is “destruction of the ecosystem” and it is natural that such actions bring severe damages. Damages that we now see in different areas.

This researcher said about the climatic conditions of the country: Our current situation is associated with extreme climatic tensions and these pressures have made nature more vulnerable.

Akhani also pointed to the state of water resources and said: Incorrect interventions in the past have caused damage to water resources, and these damages to water resources are directly transmitted to forests and other ecosystems, and there is no difference in vulnerability between them. Therefore, in a situation where both the climate is under pressure and the water resources are damaged, any fire can have irreparable consequences for the country’s ecosystem.

Is the forest able to regenerate itself after a fire?

In response to the question of whether the forests are able to recover after a fire, the Professor of Science Campus and environmental researcher of Tehran University said: What should be taken into account after a fire is that the burned area should be “covered” and any human intervention in it should be stopped.

Emphasizing that under no circumstances should one go towards planting new plant species, he reminded: One of the common mistakes is to think that after a fire, vegetation should be planted immediately, while humans are not able to recreate or restore a natural ecosystem..

Akhani explained: the natural ecosystem must re-enter the “ecological succession process”. In this process, plant species return gradually and naturally. Even in the first rainfall after the fire, some plant species get a chance to grow and enter the ecosystem, and this process shapes the dynamics of that area again.

He continued: When the native species of the region gradually settle in the place, the stability of the ecosystem will increase many times.

Akhani said about the necessity of post-fire management and how to deal with the affected areas: policies should be set exactly on this basis. We should not even collect fallen or burned branches, because the presence of these remains will help the natural regeneration of the area.

Referring to the experience of fires in oak forests, this Tehran University professor added: It should be checked whether an approach was adopted in these areas that would make natural restoration possible or not. It is necessary to study the damaged areas after the fire.

Akhani stated: Many people are interested in forests and when a fire occurs, they are present in the field with sacrifice and dedication, but the important thing is that the vital part of the work begins “after the fire”. The presence and participation of people after the fire is extinguished is much more valuable.

He explained about the time of natural regeneration of ecosystems: the duration of this process is different in different ecosystems and it is not possible to provide a single version. For example, in Zagros, due to the very slow growth of plant species, this process may last about 30 years.

Akhani pointed out: The difference in the duration of natural restoration is a natural thing and this issue does not cause a problem, because in any case, the ecosystem will move in the path of its natural sequence and during this process, many positive events will happen.

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