The Sierra Bermeja fire leaves a bleak outlook, the consequences of which will also be felt in the population of the western Costa del Sol. According to the associate professor of the Department of Geography of the University of Malaga, Antonio Gallegos, «Will seriously increase the risk of flooding in Estepona«, Since the effects of the fire have caused the loss of 1.3 million square meters of land in the affected municipalities.
The effects of rainfall of autumn and winter on the devastated soil will cause the ground to lose its Retention capacity of water and that the floods increase, since Sierra Bermeja has lost the vegetation coverage and the great filtration capacity against the precipitations, that attenuated the torrential rains.
Before the fire, the saw had a filtration capacity of 112.8 liters per square meter. Now the earth can barely seep 14.6 liters per square meter, which means that any precipitation that exceeds that figure will generate torrents of water that will end up in the population.
For the whole province as a whole, it will mean an increase of 2 percent soil losses. «This is probably the most serious consequence after the fire, because although the rrecovery of Forest mass is relatively fast in Mediterranean species, the soil regeneration It is a much slower process, lasting several dozen years, which would prevent the full recovery of forests, closely conditioned to the depth of the soils “, says Professor Gallegos.
Endangered species
On the other hand, experts estimate that around 14 endemic species of animals they could be in danger of extinction. Sierra Bermeja is characterized by its endemisms, both in its flora and fauna, and it is one of the areas with the highest biodiversity of Andalusia for its location and its unique climate.
Species that are only found in this natural setting and are exclusive in the world. Coleoptera, stoneflies, tricopters, arachnids and mollusks are added to the hundreds of vertebrates of 220 different species that converge in a biodiversity that will never be what it was.
According to the biologist Felipe Roman, member of the Sierra Bermeja National Park Platform, many invertebrates might not have survived the flames, unlike birds and mammals who have been able to escape by flying or running, and who will have no difficulty adapt to the area or environment. However, this expert recognizes that some species, which have inhabited this area for millions of years, have developed systems of self defense in front of the intensity of the flames.