Tenerife Restores Laurisilva as a Tool Against Forest Fires in the Mid-Hills
Tenerife is recovering its laurisilva as a means to combat forest fires in the mid-hills. The natural environment department of the Cabildo has commissioned the public company Gesplan to develop a project to replace the radiata pine (imported from California) with native species of monteverde such as faya, brezo, or codeso, which are significantly more resistant to fire due to their moisture and soil adaptability.
The measure, which will create a series of green corridors between tree masses, is being implemented in areas affected by the significant wildfire in summer 2023. The first phase, involving project oversight, has a budget of €580,000 and a duration of 27 months. The actions will include comprehensive forestry work on existing pine trees, technical operations for controlling forest products, and restoration efforts in areas currently occupied by foreign species.
Rehabilitation
Councillor Blanca Pérez explains, “Following the fire two years ago, we have made progress in rehabilitating the affected area by recovering vegetation, protecting the soil, and reconstructing infrastructure.” However, she notes, “There remains a significant amount of work ahead, which is technically complex.” This involves forestry treatments in areas designated for replanting and sustainable management of the mountains, covering forest track slopes and additional site work.
Complex Removal
Pérez emphasises that “we must address the removal of radiata pine in the most challenging areas due to steep slopes, as well as the complications involving access and waste removal, necessitating careful planning of the work.”
Replacement
The councillor further explains, “The goal is to replace the highly flammable radiata pine with more fire-resistant monteverde species.” Achieving this goal will require a series of supportive forestry activities complementing the comprehensive silvicultural treatments of radiata pine and its subsequent restoration to monteverde varieties. This is why the commission has been awarded to Gesplan.
Three Pillars
The work will focus on three main pillars. The first is the external oversight of comprehensive forestry management of the pine forests, including operations in areas with challenging radiata pine conditions; protective forestry in the surroundings of the Protected Landscape of Las Lagunetas; and overall improvement of canary pine replanting areas.
Control
Secondly, specialized technical work will be carried out for the control of forest products derived from silvicultural treatments. The restored products from the fire-affected area will be made available through subsidies in kind, community uses, and auctions.
Restoration
Finally, there will be a restoration of monteverde in areas previously occupied by radiata pine. This commission also encompasses technical assistance for drafting a project to build a forest plant nursery at the Environmental Centre of Aguamansa (La Orotava) and directing the construction of this facility, alongside specialized technical tasks related to infrastructure associated with hydraulic networks managed by the Technical Service of Forestry Planning and Projects of the Cabildo.
The Technical Vision
Forestry engineers Adela Conde—one of the eight responsible for wildfire suppression at the Cabildo of Tenerife—and Esther Pérez explain on-site in the Protected Landscape of Las Lagunetas (El Rosario) how the work undertaken over the last decade with the island’s monteverde has helped to halt fires and facilitate firefighting efforts. These silvicultural treatments across approximately 719 hectares are now set to continue. Conde highlights: “Efforts have been made to replace imported species with monteverde species that retain moisture, are more fire-resistant, and also improve the soil while preventing erosion.” Laurisilva and fayal-brezal comprise the monteverde in Tenerife, which includes iconic trees such as laurel, barbusano, and acebiño.
The Imported Species
Radiata pine, also known as Californian pine, can grow up to 25 metres high and weigh three tonnes, posing a danger to people due to the risk of falling after fires such as in 2023. These large trees have low resistance to fire and adverse weather conditions, placing them in sensitive and risky areas.
Failed Replanting
From 1946 to 1972, there was a significant replanting of Californian pine for production purposes on the island, with approximately 2,000 hectares planted mainly in monteverde areas. Over the years, these foreign pine forests gradually lost resilience, leading to issues during wildfires due to their high density and jeopardising public safety. About 300 hectares of radiata pine exist in Tenerife. The current objective is to initiate a cycle change, replacing the imported species with monteverde.
