19
Dec

Wildfires have a very negative press and rightly so. But, surprisingly, wildfires can also bring many positive things and improve the ecosystem. Wildfires are part of life in hot regions where there isa large population of trees/bushes/plants. Although humans can start a wildfire, they can also start from many other sources and have been raging for millions of years.

How Can A Wildfire Be A Positive?!

It does seem strange, but many plants have adapted to fire and can resist the intense heat of a wildfire. Some evergreen trees rely on the heat/fire to open up seed pods to let them germinate.

Another great way a wildfire can help out is regarding the soil. The ash can provide nutrients to the soil and create a great habitat for new trees to grow. Ash is about 25% Calcium Carbonate and can help soil that is too acidic level out. But obviously, an intense fire can also do the opposite and destroy nutrients in the soil.

The seeds of plants like the Protea are protected by a thick outer casing that really needs the heat from a wildfire to open up and germinate. Fire Pines need fire also to open up their seed pods as they are encased in resin that need to be melted for the seeds to fall out and germinate.

Giant Sequoias also need wildfires to flourish as the fire clears shrubs and bushes leaving enough access to sunlight for the saplings to grow. Sequoia is another tree that has adapted to fire, it has long, deep roots, thick bark, and very high branches.

Finally, some animals come back to the scene of a fire and feast on the animals that perished in the wildfire. Bald eagles and bears are such animals that like to have a crispy meal every now and again.

We Need Wildfires For Ecosystems To Renew Themselves.

This is the bottom line after going over all of the positives mentioned above. Wildfires create somewhat of a new slate for new trees to grow and provide nutrients for animals in the area. So, although there is a lot of devastation, there is also a lot of new life growing from the ashes.