The SCAPEFIRE research project, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), proposes a model for planning the rural landscape, which contributes to the prevention of rural fires, taking into account the ecological, economic and social sustainability of the landscape. One of the conclusions highlighted is the need to reduce eucalyptus plantations by 12% and the introduction of native, non-leafy species, which guarantee resilience to the forest and also financial profitability.
The proposals are the result of applying the FIRELAN model to the landscape, based on case studies, namely in the municipalities of Leiria, Figueiró dos Vinhos, Castanheira de Pera and Pedrógão Grande.
Selma Pena, one of the coordinators of SCAPEFIRE, emphasizes that this is not a model “against eucalyptus”, that it can “exist in the right place”, but it is necessary to “create a mosaic with fire-resilient species”, as well as transform the landscape promoting agriculture, especially around settlements, restoring water lines or preventing construction on valley bottoms.
This landscape architect, researcher at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia at the University of Lisbon, finds that eucalyptus occupies 17% of the Central region and maritime pine 22%. She therefore advocates a reduction to 5% and 6%, respectively, accompanied by forestry-environmental measures.
“To get results, we really need to change the landscape, introducing cork oaks, chestnut trees or oaks”, which can also have economic value and even direct gains, through non-hardwood species and the use of livestock. “Transforming the landscape will create companies”, he reinforced during the presentation of the project, which took place in Pedrógão Grande during the Terra Segura seminar, organized by the national environmental association IRIS.
Manuela Magalhães, who also coordinated the project, also highlighted the role of family farming in the landscape, warning that in forest management it is also necessary to know how to deal with natural regeneration. The researcher and landscape architect also defended funding to attract people to the forest, criticizing the lack of support for small and medium-sized landowners.
