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The dynamics of the Orinoco savannas: fires, vegetation and close-to-nature reforestation

The degradation of the savannas of the Colombian Orinoco is profoundly rooted in the inadequate fire management practices that have severely altered the natural cycles and vegetation of this vast region. Over the decades, anthropogenic fires have caused massive degradation of wooded savannas and gallery forests, impacting biodiversity, genetic flow and vegetation coverage.

Fires and their impact on degradation

A study conducted by Juan Manuel Cardona, Associate Director of Nature-Based Solutions at ClearBlue Markets, for InverBosques and the Brújula Verde Project, has provided a detailed analysis of the relationship between fire and vegetation, the various ecosystems present in eastern Colombia, and the lessons learnt from reforestation projects close to nature. This research demonstrates that, without the pressure of recurrent fires, most of the Orinoco basin could be covered by forest vegetation, or at least by a mosaic of open forests intercropped with wooded savannahs and scrublands.

Fires and their impact on degradation

Natural fires, mainly caused by lightning, occur sporadically during the rainy season and tend to have a reduced impact due to the high humidity of that time of year. However, human-induced fires, especially during the dry season, have transformed the landscape in dramatic ways. These prolonged, intense, extensive and recurrent fires destroy large areas of native vegetation, preventing its regeneration and destroying the habitat of wildlife. As a result, biodiversity is being reduced, soil erosion is increasing and ecosystem functioning is being weakened.

Savannah and ecosystem diversity

The Orinoco is not a homogeneous savannah. Within this wide region one finds a variety of ecosystems, ranging from sandy savannahs to peat bogs and rocky knolls. Each soil type and its proximity to groundwater sources influences the vegetation that can flourish. The recovery of these ecosystems after the cessation of anthropogenic fires follows different trajectories. For example, in wetter areas, regeneration is faster, while in sandy savannas, where nutrients are more limited, recovery is much slower and requires more intervention.

Close-to-nature reforestation: a sustainable approach

Reforestation of the Orinoco savannas cannot be a generic process. It must be thoughtfully adapted to the particularities of each ecosystem. This includes the use of native species that suit the specific soil types and a minimum intervention approach, allowing natural fires, when they do occur, to space vegetation growth in a planned and controlled manner. This ‘close-to-nature reforestation’ model not only succeeds in regenerating the landscape, but also maximises the ability to sequester carbon, a global priority.

The role of carbon markets

With the increased demand for carbon credits in the last few years, driven by international commitments such as the Paris Agreement, reforestation with native species has proven to be a solution that is not only ecologically viable, but economically attractive.

Reforestation projects in the Orinoco region not only contribute to carbon sequestration through biomass growth, but also offer significant co-benefits in biodiversity conservation and restoration of ecosystem functions. These co-benefits, which can be certified under recognized standards such as Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB), are highly valued in voluntary carbon markets. In these markets, buyers not only seek to offset their emissions, but also to support projects that have a positive impact on the preservation of ecosystems and local communities.

In summary, the degradation of the Orinoco savannahs has been driven by the frequent and indiscriminate fires, which have significantly transformed the landscape and reduced the capacity for natural regeneration. To reverse this damage, it is essential to implement planned reforestation with native species and restore natural fire cycles.

The work of InverBosques

Inverbosques now applies its wide experience in silviculture to mixed plantations, combining ‘commercial’ forest species such as eucalyptus and acacia with native species from the local biodiversity of the Orinoco region.

Firebreaks and plantations acting as protective barriers have been fundamental in managing fires caused by human activities, allowing large areas of natural wooded savannah and gallery forests to evolve according to the natural dynamics of these unique ecosystems in the region.

Download: Close-to-Nature Forestry in the Orinoco Savannas of Colombia

Descarga: Estudio completo Silvicultura Cercana a la Naturaleza en las sabanas de la Orinoquía Colombiana