The multifaceted importance of mediterranean pine-tree forests to social cohesion. Energy, resin, grazing, and wildfire management in North Euboea, Greece

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Forests are essential not only for their ecological roles but also as invaluable natural resources supporting biodiversity, climate regulation, and human livelihoods. In Mediterranean regions, pine-tree forests are particularly susceptible to intense wildfires, which pose significant challenges to containment and long-term forest health. This study focuses on the pine-tree forests of North Euboea, examining their embedded energy, natural regenerative capacity, and sustainable management approaches. Key aspects investigated include the forest’s contributions to biomass and resin productivity, the social and economic impacts of wildfire events, and the role of managed grazing as a proactive tool in fire prevention and forest stewardship. Our analysis highlights the potential benefits of grazing as a strategic measure to manage forest biomass levels, thereby reducing the fuel load and lowering the intensity of possible future fires. Grazing is also shown to support broader access across the forest landscape, allowing firefighting forces to respond more effectively in case of a fire outbreak. By utilizing grazing to maintain forest ecosystems beyond just the periphery, this approach can enhance both ecological resilience and community cohesion in regions vulnerable to forest fires. The study underscores the need for integrated management practices that balance forest use with conservation, leveraging grazing as a means to sustain the health and accessibility of Mediterranean pine-tree forests.