2023-11-12 18:08:48
Fewer trees, but more diverse and healthy trees: these are the consequences of the presence of large herbivores in forests around the world. If we want healthy forests, we must rewild them!
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[EN VIDÉO] The Alliance for Wildlife and Forests
It has now been proven that the presence of large herbivores is essential to the good health of a forest. Lund University, Sweden, conducted a global study on the impact of large vegetarian mammals on forest vegetation. Deer, bison or even elephants, large herbivores are animals weighing at least 45 kilos.
Forest health depends on species diversity, not the quantity of trees
Contrary to popular belief, the densest forests are not necessarily those in the best condition: the health of a forest is mainly measured by the heterogeneity of the plant species present. Large herbivores reduce the number of trees in a forest through their dietary choices, but they do increase species diversity. And this has an extremely beneficial consequence: more airy and more diverse forests are less prone to fires.
As the study states, “ this aspect has until now been neglected in forest management”, even though it is an essential functioning of nature. In addition, healthy trees store more carbon dioxide, thereby limiting global warming. “ Mitigating global warming must therefore involve the conservation and restoration of forests through their rewilding. conclude the authors.
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