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Forests and Wildfires 6 min read
Environmental Impacts of Wildfires in Portugal
Wildfires in Portugal have significant impacts on biodiversity, soil, climate and water resources — and call for an integrated approach of prevention, forest management and restoration.
Wildfires in Portugal have a significant environmental impact, affecting various ecosystems. Key effects include biodiversity loss, through habitat destruction and possible local species extinction; soil degradation, with erosion and nutrient loss; worsening climate change, through CO₂ emissions and reduced carbon sink capacity; and impacts on water resources, with ash contaminating watercourses and reduced soil infiltration. Regions in the south of the country also face an increased risk of desertification.
How to Mitigate the Damage
- Sustainable forest management: species diversification (replacing eucalyptus monocultures), thinning of combustible material and creating firebreak strips.
- Reforestation with native species and creation of ecological corridors to support biodiversity recovery.
- Monitoring and prevention: use of drones, satellites and sensors, plus stronger surveillance and firefighting infrastructure.
- Soil restoration and land-use planning: erosion control, temporary vegetation cover and defining risk zones in territorial planning.