“If we love the Serra, we must take care of it”

Why take action now with this forest restoration project?

The need arises due to recent storms, such as Storm Juliette and other bad weather episodes, which left many trees fallen in the Serra de Tramuntana. There was a large build-up of dead forest debris in the forest, which poses a clear fire risk. The scale of the situation could be considered a near catastrophe. At the Consortium we decided that we had to act, do our bit and contribute to removing this debris from the forests to reduce the risk. The idea is to start cleaning up where possible, to act in the most problematic areas, and to gain time in the face of an ever-increasing risk.

What criteria have been used to choose the areas of action?

A contract was signed with the company in charge of carrying out the clean-up, but the first step was to talk to the local councils in the Serra. We asked them to tell us which areas they considered a priority for action. Each municipality sent us maps indicating specific hectares that could pose a risk: areas close to towns, areas with a high fire risk or particularly vulnerable spots. Based on these data, we send orders to the company to start the clean-up there. The budget is limited and therefore a first-come, first-served basis will be applied: the sites first applied for are acted upon first. However, it’s not just a question of speed: the level of danger must also be assessed. A local council may not have been the first to ask for it, but if the area is at serious risk, it will be given priority.

Which local councils have applied?

So far, we’ve received ten applications from municipalities in the Serra de Tramuntana. These include Sóller, Calvià and Andratx. These municipalities have identified priority areas and reported them to us. The main criterion is the order of application, but as I said, we’ll also take into account the urgency and level of danger in each area.

How does the increase in forest area affect fire risk?

In the last 20 or 30 years, due to the progressive abandonment of farmland, pine forests have invaded large areas of the Serra de Tramuntana. This has posed a huge danger. People often understand forest care as planting trees, but they don’t always understand that it’s also necessary to cut them down. Thinning pine forests and reducing densities is a basic prevention measure. If we let the forest advance without management, it’ll become a tinderbox. The build-up of branches and trees makes it virtually impossible to stop a fire when it breaks out. We saw this in 2013: a fire spread for days because the highly flammable pine forest had not been managed. It was only extinguished when it reached scrubland areas. For this reason, we insist that reclaiming farmland also serves to create natural firebreaks.

What impact do fallen trees have on biodiversity and safety?

Fallen trees create an additional problem: they harbour pests and disease. In the aftermath of Storm Juliette, for example, lots of holm oaks fell. When we studied the trunks, we saw that they were hollow, attacked by wood-boring insects. This means that when the tree falls, the pest easily spreads to healthy trees. Therefore, it’s not enough to remove fallen trees: those that are affected must also be cut down and cleared in order to save those that are still in good condition. Otherwise, the problem gets exponentially worse.

The project plans to make use of biomass. How will it be used?

At first, we thought of putting the wood to a craftier use, such as making furniture or boxes. But after such a long time on the ground, that option was ruled out: the wood is no longer usable. The alternative is to turn it into wood chips. The planned use is not yet decided, but the idea is that they can be used as fuel in public buildings, such as schools or town halls. If it turns out we can’t use the wood this way, then it’d be used on the ground, fulfilling another equally useful function: covering the soil to prevent erosion and creating a substrate for new trees to grow.

What role does erosion play in this project?

Climate change is making storms increasingly violent. When the soil is bare, without vegetation cover, rain washes away the fertile soil. This means the land loses its capacity to regenerate a healthy forest. This is why it’s so important to use wood chips as mulch: if they can’t be used as biomass, they at least protect the soil, prevent soil loss and support forest regeneration.

How has funding from sustainable tourism tax (ITS) helped you with this project?

 ITS funding has allowed us to launch a forest restoration project in the Serra. Investment is crucial as it not only reduces the risk of fires, but also helps to restore agricultural and cultural heritage. Much of the Serra’s landscape was formed through traditional agriculture, with terraces, fountains and stone walls. Reclaiming former farmland also means creating natural firebreaks. Cutting down pine trees and reclaiming farmland can often be safer than maintaining a very dense, unmanaged forest. For us, this investment is a way of improving safety, protecting the landscape and preserving the area’s historical memory.

What message would you pass on to those who love the Serra de Tramuntana?

The Serra is small, barely 90 kilometres in size, and highly humanised, with stone walls extending all the way to the peaks. Furthermore, more and more people are visiting it. After the pandemic, visitor numbers skyrocketed and became chaotic in some places. We must be aware that loving the Serra does not mean being able to access it at all times and under all circumstances. Sometimes restrictions will have to be accepted, whether to protect a river, prevent fires or regenerate a certain area. It’s not about limiting freedom: it’s an act of care. If we don’t understand this and fail to manage use and access, a major fire could devastate the Serra from one end to the other. We’ve been lucky in recent years, but this won’t always be the case. The message is clear: if we love the Serra, we must take care of it, understand that sometimes trees have to be cut down, and accept that there are areas where it’s better not to go at certain times. This is the only way we can protect it for the future.