As Europe grapples with record-breaking heatwaves and wildfires, a wildfire prevention strategy using goats and sheep has emerged in Spain, sparking widespread interest.
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The Guardian reported that a wildfire prevention strategy using livestock has been implemented in Barcelona, Spain. This involves the grazing sheep and goats eating the grass in areas prone to wildfires, acting as natural firebreaks.
In April 2022, Barcelona mobilized 290 sheep and goats in Collserola Park, a suburban natural reserve. Located just 15 minutes from the city center, Collserola Park is an 80-acre (approximately 31-square-mile) green space with a high risk of wildfires, experiencing an average of 50 fires annually.
The livestock’s sole duty in the park is to graze on the field grass. Although they are under the control of shepherds, they are mostly free to roam the park. Where the sheep and goats have grazed, the grass is nibbled down, leaving patches of bare ground. This clearing of vegetation slows the spread of any potential fires, making them to be quickly contained.
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Using livestock for wildfire prevention is a traditional method practiced for a long time in Europe. While this conventional method seemed to fade with advanced firefighting technology and decreased green spaces, it is regaining attention due to the recent severe wildfires sporadically across Europe.
In California, 12 companies have been using livestock for wildfire prevention for several years. Portugal and Canada also saw positive results from deploying cattle and horses in high-risk wildfire areas.
Analysts suggest that this traditional wildfire prevention strategy has additional benefits. Grazing animals contribute to biodiversity by spreading seeds across green areas. According to the Biodiversity Research Center at the University of Leipzig in Germany, combining livestock grazing with mechanical weeding can more effectively prevent wildfires.
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