Comprehensive Strategy Proposed for Algerian Wildfire Ecosystem Restoration
Environmental expert Hicham Haddad has outlined a comprehensive national strategy for rehabilitating areas affected by wildfires in Algeria. His vision advocates for a paradigm shift from merely extinguishing fires and replanting trees to a long-term approach focused on ecosystem restoration. This strategy encompasses evaluation, protection, fostering natural regeneration, ecological reclamation, strategic reforestation when necessary, long-term monitoring, and regional fire prevention. The expert highlights the critical post-fire period, noting that soil becomes highly vulnerable to erosion due to vegetation loss and organic matter combustion, necessitating immediate interventions like soil stabilization and protection of watercourses.
A core aspect of the proposed strategy is the prioritization of natural regeneration before extensive reforestation. Haddad explains that not all burnt areas require tree planting, as many forest ecosystems possess a significant capacity for natural renewal through seeds, sprouts, or root regrowth. He stresses that any decision regarding reforestation must be preceded by a thorough environmental diagnosis, assessing factors such as remaining live vegetation, existing natural seedlings, soil seed banks, and the local species' capacity for post-fire regeneration. This scientific assessment helps categorize areas, guiding limited interventions for good natural regeneration, supplementary planting for moderate regeneration, or active restoration including reforestation for weak regeneration. The expert underscores that species selection must prioritize ecological and climatic suitability, favoring local, drought-resistant varieties that contribute to soil stabilization and biodiversity.
Haddad asserts that reforestation alone is insufficient to restore a forest's true ecological functions if soil remains degraded, water resources are unprotected, biodiversity is lost, and fire risks persist. He proposes an integrated rehabilitation framework that includes restoring vegetation through natural regeneration or strategic planting, soil recovery via erosion control and organic matter preservation, water resource protection, and biodiversity restoration. The expert advocates for transitioning from seasonal planting campaigns to long-term restoration programs, with each burnt site undergoing multi-year monitoring. Modern technologies such as satellite imagery, drones, and artificial intelligence are also proposed to revolutionize the management of burnt areas, enabling precise mapping, damage assessment, and dynamic risk monitoring for a national digital observatory.
Crucially, the success of forest rehabilitation projects relies on the active involvement of local communities, who are seen as partners in forest protection. Haddad suggests forming local committees, engaging residents and civil society in monitoring and early warning, and supporting sustainable economic activities linked to forests. He emphasizes a shift from post-fire intervention to a comprehensive fire risk management and ecosystem restoration policy. This includes a unified national diagnosis protocol after each fire, involving specialists from various fields, and integrating forest rehabilitation into urban planning and regional development to mitigate fire spread and protect settlements. Prioritizing prevention alongside reforestation, Haddad concludes, would be more effective in managing forest resources and reducing their flammability.
