{"id":5263,"date":"2025-03-21T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/costablanca-magazin.com\/?p=5263"},"modified":"2025-10-11T12:09:51","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T10:09:51","slug":"dying-pine-forests-costa-blanca-ecosystem-in-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/costablanca-magazin.com\/en\/residenten\/tiere-natur\/sterbende-kiefernwaelder-costa-blanca-oekosystem-im-umbruch\/","title":{"rendered":"Dying pine forests on the Costa Blanca - ecosystem in upheaval"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dying\nPine forests on the Costa Blanca: an ecosystem\nat a turning point<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Experts on drought, pests\nand lack of resources - why\nwhy thousands of trees are disappearing\nand what this means for the future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Dry slopes, grey tree skeletons and a growing risk of fire - the forest dieback on the Costa Blanca is taking on worrying proportions. The Sierra Helada is particularly badly affected: Up to 60% of the pine trees have been damaged, and experts are warning of long-term ecological consequences and upheaval. But what is behind the dramatic death of the trees?<\/p>

In our Caf\u00e9 con Leche series of articles, we talk to the town hall of Alfaz del Pi about the causes, challenges and possible solutions - a conversation about the future of local forests. Anyone who has hiked through the forests of the Sierra Helada in recent months or looked out over the nature reserve from a vantage point will have noticed it: Dying pine forests on an alarming scale. Entire areas, once densely overgrown, are now a desolate grey. A problem that affects not only this park, but large parts of the Costa Blanca.<\/p>

But what is behind this tree mortality? What role do drought, pests and human intervention play? And what can - or must - be done to reach a turning point and prevent an ecological catastrophe?<\/p>

A creeping death: <\/strong>Causes and consequences<\/strong>
According to unofficial estimates, up to 60% of the pine trees in the Sierra Helada are affected - a dramatic figure. The main cause is the extreme drought of recent years, which has weakened many trees to such an extent that they can no longer offer sufficient resistance to pests such as the pine borer. The combination of a lack of water and insect infestation is causing the trees to die off en masse.
The consequences go far beyond aesthetic changes to the landscape.
Experts warn that the dead wood drastically increases the risk of devastating forest fires in summer. Houses bordering the nature park could be in great danger in an emergency.<\/p>

In addition, the death of trees has long-term effects on the entire ecosystem of the region: without the protection provided by the forests, there is a risk of increased soil erosion, which can have an impact right up to the coasts. Wildlife is also suffering, as many species depend on forests as a habitat and food source.<\/p>

Nature conservation between financial <\/strong>and bureaucracy<\/strong>
In view of the alarming situation, the question arises as to what is being done to solve the problem. And here another obstacle becomes apparent: the fragmented administration of the nature park.
Several authorities are responsible for the Sierra Helada - including the town councils of Benidorm, Alf\u00e0s del Pi and Altea, the regional park administration and a dedicated fire protection team.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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However, instead of acting efficiently, responsibilities appear to be unclear. A nature park council, which was originally supposed to coordinate all those involved, has not met since the resignation of its chairman.<\/p>

The financial situation is also precarious. A nature conservation fund of 500,000 euros was distributed to all 22 nature parks in the Valencia region - a sum that is barely enough to finance the urgently needed removal of dead trees and prevention measures. In Alf\u00e0s del Pi, the special funds were already used up in January.
The city council has at least adopted its own fire protection plan, which provides for a ten-metre-wide protective strip in inhabited areas. However, there is a lack of resources and clear structures for more comprehensive measures.<\/p>

The future of the forest: <\/strong>Do we need a fresh start?<\/strong>
This dramatic development raises another question: should the dead pines be replaced with new trees?
The director of the nature park points out an interesting historical perspective: until the 1960s, the area was largely treeless. Today's pine trees were mainly planted for economic reasons, but are not adapted to the extreme climatic conditions of the region.<\/p>

This means that simply reforesting with new pine trees would make little sense. Instead, biologists are in favour of targeted replanting with drought-resistant species. Greater biodiversity could help to minimise future damage caused by drought and pests.<\/p>

Act before it's too late<\/strong>
One thing is certain: Sierra Helada is not the only natural area affected on the Costa Blanca. Tree dieback is affecting many forests in the region - and this is just the beginning. Climate change will further exacerbate the conditions.
However, instead of developing long-term solutions, the problem currently seems to be held back by a mixture of bureaucratic gridlock and a lack of funding. Meanwhile, every hot summer increases the risk of large-scale fires, which would have even more drastic consequences.<\/p>

One thing is clear: waiting is not an option. If we allow the forests to disappear unchecked, we are not only jeopardising nature, but also the protection of the coasts and the entire ecological balance.
The question is no longer whether action needs to be taken - but when. And the answer should be: immediately.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Interested parties can contact the Alfaz del Pi town council by e-mail: <\/strong>residentes@lalfas.com<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sterbende Kiefernw\u00e4lder an der Costa Blanca: Ein \u00d6kosystem am Wendepunkt Experten \u00fcber D\u00fcrre, Sch\u00e4dlinge und fehlende Ressourcen \u2013 warum Tausende B\u00e4ume verschwinden und was das f\u00fcr die Zukunft bedeutet. Trockene H\u00e4nge, graue Baum\u00adgerippe und wachsende Brandgefahr \u2013 das Waldsterben an der Costa Blanca nimmt besorgniserregende Ausma\u00dfe an. Besonders die Sierra Helada ist schwer betroffen: Bis […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5281,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tiere-natur"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t