Toulouse. To combat drought, planting urban forests relieves biodiversity
By Leo Couffin
Published on
Urban forests have been flourishing in Toulouse and its surroundings for several years. In this time of drought, What are their virtues for biodiversity and to fight against high heat?
Adrian Calu founded the company Yes Forests, which aims to develop urban forests in mainland France, he has been involved with this practice for a long time. In December 2021he also planted 1000 trees on the residence of Etoile Sud in Ramonville. According to him, this environmental practice is an important breeding ground for the preservation of biodiversity.
“A haven for biodiversity”
In the middle of summer, the ecosystem suffers from high temperatures. The birds and the insects are looking forcool places such as a strong concentration of trees. “These places have the particularity of bringing together a lot of vegetation on a small surface”, underlines Adrian Calu.
And to continue: “It is a refuge for biodiversity. Precisely, this density brings freshness to animals and insects. »
A direct link with water
During the drought, soils and water points have been very depleted especially in Toulouse which saw the water of the The Garonne drops drastically. The few storms of recent days would not be enough to irrigate the land according to Adrien Calu:
It would have to rain for a week or even ten days. We watered at the end of July one last time before the water restriction.
With the density of trees, the leaves of the latter fall on top of each other and form what is called humus “It’s the accumulation of biomass. Then it forms a thick layer that looks like a sponge and keeps the soil moist all the time. »
Ten urban forests built in Haute-Garonne
In total, there are ten urban forests in Haute-Garonne, including six in Toulouse. The oldest was planted March 2, 2020, Chemin des Herbettes. Others followed later: College Georges-Sand, Boulevard Déodat de Séverac, Jolimont, route de Narbonne, avenue Bernard-Maris, Tournefeuille, Launaget, Fonbauzard or even Ramonville.
Adrien Calu realized that there was an award of conscience for environmental issues “More and more people are interested in this kind of project. It’s positive for the future. »
“Inevitably the trees suffered”
Created less than a year ago, this forest is composed 24 different tree speciess: “Pedunculate oak or linden to name but a few. recently planted, the latter nevertheless suffered from this weather situation:
So far I have no loss. I last came at the end of July.
However, according to the boss of Oui Forêts, thehe trees suffered from the weather situation. “Inevitably, the trees suffered. Especially since these are young shoots that are not yet sufficiently rooted. »
Hundreds of forests to help biodiversity in Toulouse
Toulouse is a globally green city. However, according to Adrian Caluthe number of urban forests is not enough to relieve biodiversity :
It will take hundreds for there to be a positive effect. Especially for water and lower temperatures.
He concluded: “The town hall announced that it was going to plant 100,000 trees in ten years. Of course, this is good news. But when we see that we are able to plant 1000 on an area of 400 m2, I think we could do a lot more. »
Other projects are in the process of germinating, in particular at Sea bream cross, avenue of the United States or near the Toulouse Stadium.
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