Using animals to improve forest quality

Using animals to improve forest quality

DREVO Living Forest Fauna Management

Concept

In the systemDREVO Living MountainsAnimals are considered not only as consumers of forest vegetation, but also as participants in the formation of a healthy forest ecosystem.

When managed properly, they are capable of:

maintain the mosaic structure of the forest;

control excessive undergrowth;

reduce the amount of dry grass and small combustible material;

spread seeds;

recycle plant residues;

fertilize the soil;

create open ground areas;

support insects, birds and predators;

to form transitions between forest, meadow and bush.

But animals should not be everywhere all the time.

The main principle:

Animals improve forests only when their impact is limited by space, time, and the ecosystem's carrying capacity.

1. Which forests require animal participation?

Controlled animal presence is particularly useful in:

degraded secondary forests;

abandoned forest pastures;

overgrown forest edges;

agroforestry systems;

forests with an excessively dense shrub layer;

fire corridors;

fruit and nut forests;

floodplain forests in stable areas;

Mediterranean woodlands;

transition zones between pasture and forest.

It is less appropriate or unacceptable in:

natural cores of old-growth forests;

areas with massive natural renewal;

spring forests;

forests on unstable slopes;

swampy areas with soft peat;

habitats of particularly sensitive species;

post-fire recovery zones;

young plantings without protection.

2. The main ecological functions of animals

Grass and shrub control

Herbivores reduce:

continuous tall grass stand;

excessive accumulation of dry biomass;

overgrowth of passages;

competition between individual shrubs and young trees.

Managed grazing under trees can reduce the need for mechanical or chemical vegetation control and reduce the amount of fine fuel material.

Creating a mosaic

Different intensity of eating creates:

short grass;

tall grass;

shrub islands;

open ground;

areas without impact.

This heterogeneity increases the number of ecological niches.

Seed dispersal

Seeds are transferred:

on wool;

on the hooves;

in the digestive tract;

with bedding;

along with the movement of animals between sites.

Organic recycling

Animals accelerate the return of part of the plant mass to the soil through:

manure;

urine;

chopping grass;

leaf movement;

trampling of small organic matter.

Supporting the food web

The presence of herbivores and small animals supports:

dung beetles;

very;

soil organisms;

insectivorous birds;

birds of prey;

kunyih;

fox;

large predators.

3. Cattle

Cattle are suitable for sparse forests, forest meadows and wide forest edges.

Useful features

eats tall grass;

creates areas of different heights;

partially suppresses soft shrubs;

forms paths;

reveals small areas of soil;

supports dung insects.

The most suitable territories

oak sparse forests;

fruit forests;

forest pastures;

firebreaks;

wide floodplain terraces;

agroforestry plots.

Main risks

compaction of wet soil;

root damage;

bark stripping;

pollution of streams;

destruction of young trees;

concentration at feeders and drinkers.

Proper management

Used:

short grazing cycles;

long recovery period;

mobile drinking bowls;

protection of springs and streams;

fencing of undergrowth;

moving feeding sites;

Prohibition of grazing after heavy rains.

4. Horses and ponies

Horses form shorter grassy patches and are able to maintain open forest clearings for long periods.

Useful features

control cereals;

create short feeding areas;

form paths;

maintain the semi-open character of the forest;

increase the diversity of the grass structure.

Risks

severe local trampling;

bark damage;

formation of permanent mudflats;

compaction of soil around water and shelters.

Horses are better suited to dry and moderately wet areas than to swampy forest.

5. Sheep

Sheep are suitable for:

dry sparse forests;

young agroforestry systems;

forest gardens;

fire corridors;

опушек.

Useful features

maintain low grass cover;

reduce dry grass;

cause relatively little damage to the soil;

suitable for precise sector grazing.

Risks

capable of completely eating out young plants;

damage the bark of thin trees;

at high density they create a uniform low grass stand;

may interfere with natural regeneration.

Sheep should not be kept in one area all the time.

6. Goats

Goats are a powerful tool for brush control.

Useful features

eat shoots of bushes;

reduce the overgrowth of forest edges;

control some of the thorny plants;

help create fire corridors;

old forest clearings are revealed.

Main risks

Goats are capable of destroying:

young growth;

bark;

branches;

rare shrubs;

natural regeneration of forests.

Therefore, goats are used:

only in short cycles;

in precisely fenced sectors;

mainly before planting or outside of undergrowth areas;

under constant supervision.

They cannot be considered as universal animals for the forest.

7. Pigs

Domestic pigs can be used as a temporary tool for preparing individual forest areas.

Useful features

open up dense turf;

looking for roots and larvae;

create areas of open soil;

mix the top horizon;

partially control rhizomes;

accelerate the processing of fallen fruits;

They can prepare places for sowing oak, walnut or chestnut.

Where are they useful?

old fruit forests;

chestnut groves;

degraded forest clearings;

areas before reseeding;

areas with a dense grass cushion.

Where are they dangerous?

wet soils;

steep slopes;

spring forests;

areas of young growth;

rare grass zones;

banks of streams;

peat soils.

Pigs are used in small groups and are brought out until continuous dug soil is formed.

8. Donkeys

Donkeys are useful for dry forests and transition zones.

They:

eat coarse grass;

use some of the shrubs;

work well in dry, sparse woodlands;

form passages;

can be used for transporting materials.

Particularly promising in:

Mediterranean forests;

mountain agroforestry systems;

olive-oak sparse forests;

fire belts.

9. Water buffaloes

Water buffalo are suitable for selected wet forest and floodplain systems.

Useful features

eat coarse marsh vegetation;

create open water windows;

maintain wet meadows;

form mud depressions;

limit overgrowth of shrubs.

Risks

severe damage to soft banks;

deep trampling;

pollution of small bodies of water;

destruction of young plantings.

They are used only in large floodplains with stable soil and sufficient area.

10. Birds

Birds improve forests primarily through natural processes.

Insectivorous birds

Control:

caterpillars;

beetles;

larvae;

some forest pests.

The following are saved for them:

old trees;

hollows;

dead wood;

shrubs;

forest glades;

water points.

Fruit-eating birds

Spread seeds:

rowan;

bird cherry;

viburnum;

hawthorn;

wild apple tree;

juniper;

other fruit plants.

Woodpeckers

They create hollows which are then used:

owls;

bats;

tits;

insects;

small mammals.

For woodpeckers, it is necessary to preserve old and partially dying trees.

Birds of prey

Regulate:

mice;

voles;

individual birds;

small mammals.

They need tall trees, quiet areas and open spaces to hunt.

11. Wild ungulates

Roe deer, red deer, elk and other local herbivores are a natural part of the forest.

In moderate numbers they:

create trails;

they carry seeds;

support the meadows;

form a heterogeneous undergrowth;

provide a food source for predators.

When in excess they:

destroy the undergrowth;

eat the tops of young trees;

remove the bark;

simplify the composition of the forest;

hinder the restoration of oak, ash, fir and other sensitive species.

Historically, overgrazing can completely suppress forest regeneration.

Therefore, the quality of a forest is assessed not by the number of animals, but by the balance between their numbers and tree regeneration.

12. Wild boars

Boars create:

open areas of soil;

places of seed germination;

mixing the litter;

local decrease in grass density.

However, the high number of wild boar leads to:

destruction of plants;

eating acorns and seeds;

damage to roots;

destruction of damp areas;

water pollution;

conflicts with agriculture.

Wild boars should not be artificially released as forestry tools. Their numbers are controlled within ecologically acceptable limits.

13. Beavers

In floodplain forests, beavers are capable of significantly increasing structural diversity.

They create:

flooded areas;

dead wood;

open meadows;

ponds;

channels;

young willow thickets;

transitions between forest and swamp.

Beavers are useful where safe seasonal flooding is possible.

They can become a problem near:

roads;

bridges;

populated areas;

young gardens;

protective dams.

14. Small mammals

Mice, voles, shrews, squirrels and other species:

move seeds;

bury nuts;

become food for predators;

participate in the processing of organic matter;

form soil passages.

Squirrels and some rodents are capable of forgetting some of the stored seeds, facilitating the regeneration of trees.

They require:

dead wood;

shrubs;

hollows;

seed trees;

areas without permanent grazing.

15. Insects

Insects are one of the main working groups of the forest.

Dung beetles

process manure;

return nutrients;

reduce the number of parasites;

improve soil structure.

Their preservation requires the abandonment of the constant use of persistent veterinary drugs that are dangerous to invertebrates.

Deadwood beetles

Decompose wood and support:

mushrooms;

soil formation;

birds;

bats.

European open forest restoration projects pay particular attention to old trees and species associated with dead wood.

Ants

move seeds;

loosen the soil;

regulate the numbers of other insects;

create local fertility centers.

16. Earthworms and soil fauna

Soil animals:

create pores;

mix organic matter;

improve infiltration;

form soil aggregates;

accelerate the processing of leaves.

The uncontrolled introduction of non-native worm species into natural forests is unacceptable. In some forest ecosystems, they can destroy the natural litter too quickly.

Priority is given to the restoration of local soil fauna through:

chemical abstinence;

preservation of fallen leaves;

dead wood;

stable humidity;

minimal compaction.

17. Bats

Bats regulate the numbers of nocturnal insects.

The following are saved for them:

hollow trees;

cracks;

old buildings;

dark forest corridors;

reservoirs;

areas without night lighting.

Artificial trees can be used as a temporary addition, but do not replace existing trees.

18. Predators

Wolves, lynxes, foxes, mustelids and other predators help regulate:

ungulates;

rodents;

sick animals;

herbivore behavior.

Predators can reduce the long-term concentration of ungulates in one place, but their return requires:

large interconnected territories;

sufficient food supply;

work with local population;

protection of livestock;

compensatory mechanisms.

19. Anthills, hollows and dung as microenvironments

Forest quality is enhanced when various small structures are preserved in it:

anthills;

hollows;

burrows;

puddles;

hoof prints;

manure plots;

root eversion;

mud baths;

tree debris.

Such elements cannot be completely removed for the sake of a “clean” appearance.

20. Division of the forest into functional zones

Zone A - natural core

no livestock;

natural animals;

minimal intervention;

old trees and deadwood.

Zone B – restoration of undergrowth

temporarily closed to large herbivores;

protected young trees;

natural regeneration;

controlled access for small animals.

Zone C - forest pasture

managed rotational grazing;

mature trees;

stable grass stand;

individual areas of undergrowth are protected.

Zone D - fire zone

goats;

sheep;

cattle;

mowing;

removal of part of the dry biomass.

Zone E – wet and floodplain forest

limited seasonal grazing;

beavers;

water birds;

absence of animals in the spring core.

Zone F - Agroforestry

fruit and nut trees;

forage shrubs;

pets;

controlled production system.

21. Animal rotation

The main rule is that the animal should not be on the site all the time.

Typical cycle:

assessment of vegetation and soil;

short entry of animals;

achieving the target impact;

full output;

restoration of grass and undergrowth;

monitoring;

decision to repeat the cycle.

The density and duration are determined not by the calendar, but by the condition of the site.

22. Grazing cessation indicators

Animals are immediately removed if:

more than the permissible proportion of undergrowth is damaged;

exposed compacted soil appeared;

erosion is formed;

the turbidity of streams increases;

animals eat the bark;

flowering plants disappear;

the area turns into a uniform low lawn;

the roots are damaged;

the destruction of the coast begins.

23. Protection of young trees

Used:

individual grids;

wooden fences;

thorny bush rings;

temporary sectional fences;

tree debris;

planting in dense groups;

high planting stakes;

exclusion of grazing for several years.

Some young trees must remain available to natural selection, but the main regeneration groups are protected.

24. Forage trees and shrubs

In agroforestry and silvopastoral systems, the following can be grown:

willows;

poplars;

mulberry;

linden;

hazel;

carob;

ash tree;

local leguminous trees and shrubs;

fruit trees.

Leaves and young shoots are used as seasonal food.

The selection depends on the region and safety for a particular type of animal.

25. Fire protection function

Managed grazing can:

reduce dry grass;

maintain open lanes;

facilitate access for firefighters;

reduce the continuity of small combustible material.

But it does not replace:

fire roads;

water points;

monitoring;

deadwood management;

safe breaks;

controlled use of fire where it is legal and environmentally sound.

26. Integration with forest products

A properly managed forest can simultaneously provide:

wood;

fruit;

walnuts;

mushrooms;

honey;

meat;

milk;

wool;

medicinal plants;

seeds;

planting material.

Silvopastoral systems are specifically designed so that trees, forage plants, and animals complement each other rather than compete uncontrollably.

27. Living Mountain Observatory

The system controls:

position of animals;

duration of grazing;

grass density;

state of undergrowth;

bark damage;

soil compaction;

humidity;

erosion;

water quality;

amount of dry biomass;

wild animal activity;

spread of invasive plants.

Used:

GPS collars;

camera trap;

cameras;

acoustic stations;

soil sensors;

TREVO AeroSense Drone;

satellite imagery;

digital passports of forest areas.

Precise management of livestock distribution can be supported by GPS collars and digital route control.

28. TREE AI

Artificial intelligence calculates:

How many animals are allowed?

which sector to send them to;

when to stop grazing;

where to protect the young growth;

where there is a fire risk;

where animals concentrate for too long;

how the forest changes after each cycle;

What types of animals are best suited to the area?

AI's recommendations are confirmed by a forester, ecologist and veterinarian.

29. Implementation stages

Stage 1 - examination

forest type;

age;

undergrowth;

soil;

humidity;

water bodies;

existing fauna;

rare species;

fire load.

Stage 2 - zoning

natural core;

renewal zones;

forest pasture;

fire protection areas;

agroforestry zones;

water protection zones.

Stage 3 - Pilot

one species of animal;

small area;

short cycle;

control plot without animals.

Stage 4 - Evaluation

Compared:

undergrowth;

herbage;

soil;

biodiversity;

fire load;

water quality.

Stage 5 - Combined System

After a successful pilot, different animals are introduced in different seasons.

30. Approximate sequence of animals

First cycle

Cattle or horses:

reduction of tall grass;

creating a mosaic.

Second cycle

Sheep:

processing of low grass.

Point cycle

Goats:

shrub control.

Special cycle

Pigs:

local opening of the turf before sowing or restoration.

Constant natural level

birds;

insects;

small mammals;

natural predators;

soil fauna.

31. What not to do

The following is not allowed:

releasing animals into the forest without a plan;

keep them in one area all the time;

consider maximum consumption of vegetation a success;

allow livestock to access springs and streams;

use goats in young plantings;

use pigs on wet slopes;

destroy undergrowth for the sake of convenience of grazing;

converting a natural forest into an ordinary pasture;

planting species that are poisonous to animals in feed sectors;

use veterinary drugs without assessing their impact on dung insects;

artificially inflate the number of wild ungulates;

remove all predators;

remove all dead wood;

apply the same regime to all forest types.

32. Criteria for a successful system

Animals do improve a forest if:

natural regeneration is maintained;

the diversity of herbs and shrubs increases;

the soil is not compacted;

the fire load is reduced;

streams and springs are preserved;

the number of insects and birds increases;

there is no massive damage to the bark;

different age classes of trees appear;

animals do not depend on constant external feeding;

the forest remains a forest and does not turn into a pasture with individual trees.

Mission

Use of animals in the systemDREVO Living Mountainsmust restore the forest's natural dynamics.

Herbivores maintain clearings and control overgrowth. Birds disperse seeds and control insects. Rodents bury nuts. Beavers rebuild floodplain forests. Predators regulate herbivores. Insects, fungi, and soil organisms recycle organic matter.

But no single animal can “heal” the forest on its own.

A healthy forest is not formed by the maximum number of animals, but by the correct balance of forest, water, vegetation, herbivores, predators, dead wood and time.

Therefore, DREVO is not creating a forest livestock farm or a nature reserve without management, butadaptive system of joint restoration of forests and wildlife.