A walk to a wood in Atxuri

On Sunday December 22, coinciding with the Christmas holidays we organized an enjoyable walk, which we wanted to relate to the newly created group “BBT Basoa” (BBT Wood). This group`s aim is to work in favor of the native forest and in favor of a new forest culture, focused on the care and promotion of biodiversity and trying to help in the generation of small woods as complex and lasting ecosystems over time. As we entered a small oak grove we could notice the humidity and fallen leaves decomposing on the ground, thus helping to enrich the soil.

Further on up, and on both sides we could see the antithesis of that in the form of eucalyptus trees: acidic soils covered in dry leaves which haven`t decomposed, due to the lack of insects that are attracted to this type of tree. Very little humidity, a lack of biodiversity and a lot of " pampas grass" is the norm for eucalyptus plantations. In general, these are the conditions of a poor ecosystem, plantations destined to be cut down in about 12-15 years and then left to sprout up again. What we lack from our institutions is a clear commitment to the native forest and help over time for the owners who, instead of seeking short-term profit from the sale of wood, believe in the need for a greater biodiversity and ecological complexity that a native forest can provide. More in keeping with the humid conditions so characteristic of our environment and so necessary in the context of the climate emergency.