How Large Herbivores Can Help Reduce Fire Risks Amidst Worsening Climate Crisis

Socioeconomic factors are producing large-scale land abandonment in various regions of the world. Pastoralism and nomadic behaviors are also on the decline across the globe. As a result, shrubs and trees progressively cover regions, accumulating flammable plant debris.

Firebreaks that had been established have been lost. Wildfires are more likely to occur and are more intense as a result of these factors. Investing in firefighting capability is now one of the most common answers to this threat. While this can help put out flames once they start, more promising techniques include preventing wildfires from igniting in the first place.

The researchers provide recommendations for land managers and governments to minimize wildfires based on their results. One option is to keep and promote substantial grazing by domestic or (semi-)wild herbivores in regions that are now being abandoned. This will necessitate the integration of appropriate agricultural, forestry, and fire management strategies and financial assistance for animal-based fire prevention. The Common Agricultural Policy in Europe, for example, should encourage farmers and landowners to use substantial grazing for fire suppression.

"Letting animals do the work is a very cost-effective approach to manage the land while also restoring lost ecosystem services, and it may benefit local people," said Dr. Guy Pe'er, principal author of the study and researcher at iDiv and UFZ.

"At the same time, we must realize that fires are natural processes that are critical to many ecosystems, and we must learn to live with them to some degree," Rouet-Leduc added. "Wildfires are anticipated to grow more severe in many regions of the world as a result of climate change," Pe'er added. "Current regulations can and should take far more account of nature-based solutions, such as enabling herbivores to perform their job."

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