Biosphere Reserves in Spain are going through a difficult time: fires have reached key areas recognized by UNESCO, especially in the north of the peninsula. These areas, where a balance between nature and human use is sought, are now seeing their integrity compromised.
Conservation organizations warn of damage to fragile habitats and effects on protected species, while demanding rapid and sustained action over time. The combination of drought, high temperatures and the hand of man increases the risk in the middle of the summer season.
Fires in Asturias: Six Biosphere Reserves under pressure
The recent wave of fires has impacted the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains, with six of the seven Asturian reserves affected. According to Ecoloxistes n'Aición, most of the fires are of human origin - around 80%—, often linked to the creation of pastures and the removal of scrub, a context aggravated by the weather.
- National Park of the Picos de Europa
- Somiedo Natural Park
- Natural Park of Redes
- Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park
- Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park
- Natural Park of Ponga
All these spaces are integrated into the Natura 2000 and, in several cases, they are also SPA and SAC, reflecting its exceptional ecological value. The spread of fires in hard-to-reach areas and the wind have complicated firefighting efforts, increasing the scope of the problem.
Habitats and wildlife at risk: from the capercaillie to the brown bear
The situation is especially delicate in the Narcea, Degaña and Ibias springs, where the last Asturian stronghold of capercaillie, a bird in critical condition. The loss of cover and the alteration of the understory compromise its reproduction and shelter.
En Somiedo —30.000 hectares, a Natural Park since 1988 and a Biosphere Reserve since 2000—, the fires have reached restricted-use areas with an outstanding state of conservation. There live some of the best populations of cantabrian brown bear, whose survival depends on a mosaic of forests, scrublands and quiet areas.
At the National Park of the Picos de Europa, forest stands are burning at the base of the Leonese, Cantabrian and Asturian slopes. The continuity of fuel and the slopes increase the risk of irreversible habitat loss if you do not act quickly and with technical judgment.
The effect extends to birds of prey and scavengers that are key to ecological balance: Golden and imperial eagles, Egyptian vultures, hen and Montagu's harriers, and black vulturesThe reduction in feeding, breeding, and flight areas can result in short-term population declines.
What changes are organizations asking for?
Ecoloxistes n'Aición calls on the Principality for a package of measures that combines ecological restoration, prevention and social support, also avoiding perverse economic incentives after the fire.
- Recover the grazing boundaries in burned areas to promote regeneration.
- Hunting ban in affected municipalities and suspension of controls on the wolf.
- Ban the sale of wood burned and land use change after the fires.
- Start restoration plans with native species and ecological connectivity criteria.
On the social level, the entity proposes emergency funds, free advice and tax relief for the affected rural population, as well as a employment plan linked to the restoration of mountains and riverbanks.
To reduce the recurrence of these episodes, they ask for more professionalization, resources and job stability for forest firefighting teams and the natural environment guard. They also advocate for a preventive fuel management to avoid burning to create pastures and reduce the risk of large fires.
Biosphere Reserves in Spain: why they matter so much
These UNESCO figures promote the coexistence between conservation and sustainable use, from extensive livestock farming to responsible forest management. In critical times, the need to restore with native forests and ensure the connectivity of sensitive habitats.
The case of Asturias shows that a large part of the natural heritage is supported on management decisions and institutional cooperation. Spaces such as Somiedo, with decades of work on its landscape and fauna, demonstrate the potential of a model that combines science, tradition, and low-impact tourism.
The adaptation to climate change will make long-term projects essential, avoid profits derived from the fire and prioritize the territorial planning that reduces risks. Civil society, administrations, and experts face the challenge of consolidating this approach.
The future of Biosphere Reserve in Spain It involves protecting what gives these territories their identity: healthy habitats, resilient local communities, and management that puts biodiversity at the center, even when it comes to rebuilding after fires.
