In Evros, one of Europe’s most valuable forest ecosystems, today stands heavily wounded but proud. The devastating fire of the summer of 2023, the largest recorded in the EU, after 17 days of “revelation” left behind ashes, silence and losses of incalculable ecological value. Affliction. But under the roasted and crushed trees, under the burnt soil, life has not been stuck. The vein of life is trying to find rhythm. In the eye of the eye, in the first shoots they pop up, in the cowardly blossoms of the returning birds, the stubbornness and the miracle are distinguished: Nature struggles to regenerate. And with her, a whole place hopes again. As Nikos Georgiadis, Nikos Georgiadis, WWF Greece manager: “From now on, the forest should not be done again”.
The time of the disaster
The Pylea Forest Fire broke out on August 19, 2023, probably from lightning, southwest of the village of Melia. At 4:30 in the morning, the fire began to spread to the north of Egnatia Road and, led by the northeast wind, quickly spread to the southwest and south. By noon it had arrived south of Egnatia, and two days later, on August 21, a second fire northwest of the Gibren hill, perhaps from a human error, broke out. The two fires were united, creating an unprecedented fiery storm, which burned uncontrolled for days, leading to more than 20 people and causing the destruction of 942,500 acres, of which 58% belong to the Dadia National Park, including houses, infrastructure.
He wants a lot of work
By decision of the Directorate -General for Forests and Forestry, WWF Greece was designated as a “reforestation contractor” for the holistic approach to the restoration of all forest ecosystems affected by the fire of 2023. to help nature regenerate. With extensive projects through the Antinero program, we have created the conditions in order to deal with immediately flooding, to contain the territories, and to help nature and people for the rebirth of the area. In collaboration with WWF, we continue this effort, which brings results. “
“It’s going to be a great job. We have implemented anti -corrosion and flood protection projects, which use the branches and trunks of the burnt trees as raw material – the so -called codes, branches and trumps are very important in the restoration of the forest ecosystem, “explains Stavros Tsilikonas. As Mr. Georgiadis explains, especially for the double-cut areas, as some had been burned just a year ago, the next two or three years will be very important for how the area responds. So far, from the first images and fields, things are looking well in many of them. As the WWF manager says: “There has been a rapid, tedious but well -founded field research to clarify and predict the post -priest natural regeneration and to identify additional problematic parameters. We can say that the natural regeneration of trachea pine is expected to be satisfactory. The broadleafs go famous everywhere, with a very good recalculation. ” As he says: “Although several forest species have mechanisms of natural regeneration, unfortunately this is not the case everywhere. There are areas of coniferous trees that are of international importance and are important habitats for fauna, which cannot be regenerated naturally, such as black pine. For these areas it will have to spend a reasonable amount of time – which can exceed 3 years – to see if the surrounding unknown people can help with the physical transport of seeds to physical rehabilitation. Then we need to see if it will need mass or targeted and selective enrichment plantations. ” According to Mr. Georgiadis, “as time goes on, it is possible that other areas may need human help to succeed. It is for this reason that the study has set very specific monitoring areas to see where and how we should intervene in the future, ”while artificial reforestation has already been performed in over 1,000 acres in the area.
Rare fauna returns
Speaking to RES-EIA, Vassilis Zafeiropoulos and Lefteris Kapsalis, scientists of the Thrace Biodiversity Protection Company, who are actively involved in the regeneration of the area, emphasize that the park is of exceptional value and importance to fauna and especially for predators. As they explain: “The unshakable islands that have escaped flames are biodiversity oases in the burnt forest. They are extremely important and must be protected, because they start the rejuvenation of species”, as they say, while analyzing the coordinated efforts to co -ordinate and in cooperation with local government.
As Anna Konstantinidou, Head of Delta and Dadia National Parks Management Unit, explains, more than 203 different species of birds have been recorded. There have been 36 of Europe’s 39 species of Europe’s predatory birds and 8 nocturnal. In addition, 60-65 mammal species have been observed. Among them are the roe deer, the wolf otter, the jackal, the wild boar, the wild boar, the petrokounavos, the weasel and the badger. While also the presence of 24 types of manufacture, 72% of the species in Greece, which find refuge in the caves and old mines in the area. The area also hosts a rich reptile, with 29 species of reptiles from a total of 100 species that respond to Greece, while the Evros River is one of the richest in fish areas in the Balkans. In fact, 47 species of fish have been recorded in the river basin, of which 41 are found within the Greek territory. Finally, a total of 283 species of invertebrates have been recorded in Dadia. Of these, 104 species belong to the butterflies, 39 to the orthopes and 34 species belong to the coleoptera.
Need to deal with the causes of the devastating
“The weather conditions were unstoppable. Air was blowing furious and endlessly for days, “said Yianna Diagakis, Daschard Soufli. According to herself and George Pistola, the Alexandroupolis Forestry, the morphology of the soil, the extent and the intensity of the fire, the species and the density of vegetation, have exacerbated the devastating effect. In fact, they emphasize the need for further staffing of Forestry and upgrading their roles in order to contribute significantly to their knowledge and experience, both in planning for prevention and to dealing with forest fires. According to the WWF report, significant causes that led to the disaster and must be addressed, were also the lack of adequate staff, proper education, resource deficiency, inadequate coordination of extinguishing forces, but also with other bodies outside the PS, inadequate knowledge of the area, repression of fire. Indeed, WWF, as well as experienced forests, among other things, strongly suggest the use of low intensity fire as a tool for prevention of forest fires. As they say: “The prescribed combustion as a prevention tool has shown positive results, with fire reducing fuel and helping rapid recycling of nutrients in the soil. According to WWF, the Evros fire is a symbol of the climate crisis and the need for preventive action, while the successful regeneration of the Evros region will be an example of nature’s resilience in combination with applied human knowledge. Like Phoenix, the mythical bird that burns and comes to life through its ashes, symbolizing the Resurrection and eternal life, so does Dadia today regenerate.