How grazing animals can help landscapes face wildfire risk
Working with natural processes
Across southern Europe, another wildfire season reminds us of how quickly landscapes can become overwhelmed when vegetation builds up and summers grow hotter. There is no single solution to this challenge, but on one of nature's oldest processes can help make landscapes more resilient: Natural grazing.
Long before Europe was shaped by people, it was shaped by grazing animals. Aurochs, wild horses, European bison, elk and deer moved across the continent in vast numbers. Their grazing, browsing, trampling and wallowing created a shifting mosaic of grasslands, scrub, thickets and open-grown trees, keeping landscapes open and varied.
Far fewer of those animals remain, and as farmers and shepherds have left the land, fewer livestock graze it too. Vegetation has spread across ground that was once kept in check. Where wild and semi-wild herds return, landscapes begin responding again. This month we're exploring how natural grazing helps landscapes become more resilient to wildfire, what it restores along the way, and why making legal room for these animals matters.
As people leave rural Europe, grazing animals leave with them. Scrub closes in and open ground disappears. Across our landscapes free-roaming herds are taking that work back on.
Grazing as part of the picture
A study from Portugal's Greater Côa Valley shows that reducing catastrophic wildfire risk requires more than firefighting. The research highlights the importance of managing landscapes through a combination of ecological, climatic and socio-economic approaches, with natural grazing playing an important role in building resilience.
How effective is natural grazing at reducing wildfire risk? A study led by researchers at iDiv through the GrazeLIFE initiative found that large herbivores such as horses and bison create shorter, patchier vegetation that can slow the spread of fire. Supporting natural grazing can also reduce the need for costly vegetation clearing and firefighting.
How can legal pathways help natural grazing spread across Europe?
Natural grazing cannot expand without the right legal frameworks. Across Europe, many free-roaming herbivores are still regulated as conventional livestock: routine handling, identification, movement controls and health inspections built for farm production, not for animals performing an ecological function.
Working together, The Lifescape Project, Rewilding Spain and Rewilding Europe secured the first regional recognition of free-roaming horse herds living in wild or semi-wild conditions in Castilla-La Mancha, covering four herds and 120 animals. The latest in a series of legal case studies developed with the Lifescape Project, it captures the lessons from this milestone to help practitioners and policymakers create the conditions for rewilding to grow.
How the return of bison is helping shape identity and culture
Natural grazing does more than reduce wildfire risk and restore ecological processes. As large herbivores return, they also help create landscapes that attract people.
The Imagine5 team recently visited Armeniș, in Romania's Southern Carpathians, where the return of European bison is helping shape a thriving nature-based economy. Visitors travel to experience Europe's largest free-roaming bison population, creating new opportunities for local businesses and communities alongside nature recovery.
Natural grazing is one of several natural processes we work with. Our new page brings together documentaries, podcast episodes, illustrations, publications and a free online course covering them.
Natural grazing is helping create healthier, more resilient landscapes across Europe. By supporting Rewilding Europe, you support wildlife comeback, natural processes and give nature more room to shape a more resilient future.
Support a wilder Europe
Europe can be wilder, with more room for wildlife and natural processes. Whether through a donation, partnership or other support, you can play a role in restoring the natural processes that help keep landscapes healthy and resilient.
From bison roaming the Southern Carpathians to free-roaming horses in the Iberian Highlands, discover destinations where natural grazing is helping restore healthier landscapes and support local nature initiatives.
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