Eucalyptus Plantations in Spain: Green Desert for Birds 2026

Eucalyptus plantations in Spain, planted for cheap wood, have become a green desert for wildlife, according to a new study. The research, from the University of Santiago de Compostela and CSIC, confirms what many suspected: these fast-growing trees are poor substitutes for native forests.

For decades, eucalyptus has spread across Spain's northwest, now covering 30% of forested areas in regions like Galicia. The tree was introduced in the 1940s to supply the paper industry, but its ecological cost is finally being quantified.

Why Eucalyptus Plantations Are a Green Desert

The study analyzed 240 plots in the Fragas do Eume Natural Park, comparing native Atlantic forest with eucalyptus stands. The difference in bird richness and abundance was stark: the more eucalyptus, the fewer birds.

Mature eucalyptus trees cannot replace old-growth native trees as functional habitat. Their foliage offers limited support for birds, and they don't generate enough insects to sustain insect-eating species.

Which Birds Are Most Affected?

Insectivores and cavity-nesting birds suffer most. Species like the great spotted woodpecker and the coal tit, which rely on old trees for nesting and foraging, are hit hardest.

The lack of dead wood and hollows in eucalyptus plantations means these birds have nowhere to raise their young. The study adds to growing evidence that monoculture forestry is a biodiversity dead end.

The Policy That Created the Problem

The eucalyptus boom began in the 1940s under Franco's regime, which subsidized planting to feed the paper industry. The tree's rapid growth and low cost made it an attractive crop for repopulating unproductive land.

But what was seen as a economic success has become an ecological liability. Eucalyptus is also highly flammable, exacerbating wildfire risk in a region already prone to blazes.

Economic Benefits vs. Environmental Costs

Spain's pulp and paper industry remains a significant employer, and eucalyptus is its primary raw material. However, the study's authors argue that the true cost of these plantations—lost biodiversity, increased fire risk, and water depletion—is not reflected in the market price of wood.

As climate change intensifies, the debate over eucalyptus is likely to grow louder. The study provides ammunition for those calling for a shift toward native species and more sustainable forestry practices.

What the Study Found: Key Takeaways

• Eucalyptus plantations cover 30% of forested area in parts of northwest Spain.
• Bird richness and abundance drop significantly with increasing eucalyptus cover.
• Insect-eating and cavity-nesting birds are the most affected groups.
• Mature eucalyptus cannot mimic the habitat functions of native old-growth trees.
• The study analyzed 240 plots in the Fragas do Eume Natural Park.

Comparing Native Forest and Eucalyptus Plantation

The table illustrates why eucalyptus plantations are often called green deserts: they may look lush, but they lack the structural and biological diversity that wildlife needs.

What This Means for Spain's Forests

The study's findings have implications beyond Galicia. Eucalyptus is planted in other parts of Spain and in Portugal, often with similar ecological consequences.

Conservationists argue that the government should phase out subsidies for eucalyptus and promote native species. But any transition must consider the livelihoods dependent on the pulp industry. The longer history behind the story is traced in Eucalyptus Plantations in Spain: Green Desert for Birds.

One proposed solution is to manage plantations more sustainably—for example, by retaining patches of native vegetation and old trees within eucalyptus stands. However, the study suggests that only a shift back to native forest can fully restore bird communities. The background to this story is set out in DIY Guide: How to Use Non-Covering Acrylic Paints for Wood Finishes. A related thread runs through Covering Trump's Tumultuous Trade Wars: A Journalist's Guide. Earlier coverage in Pond Protection Essential for Wildlife Habitats and Biodiversity shows how the argument developed.

The Role of Certification and Consumer Pressure

Forest certification schemes like FSC and PEFC have been criticized for certifying eucalyptus plantations that are essentially monocultures. Consumer pressure on paper products could drive better practices, but the market signal is weak. A closer look at the same subject appears in Biodiversity Targets Slipping Away Four Years After Cop15. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Energy Utilities: latest articles. The same theme surfaces in Rare Siberian Rubythroat Spotted for First Time in Spain, which takes a different angle.

For now, the eucalyptus continues to spread, and the birds continue to disappear. The study is a wake-up call: cheap wood has a high cost. Context on how this played out before sits in Australia Vaccinates Captive Birds Against H5 Bird Flu. A companion piece, Bird Flu Threat: Which Australian Birds Are Most at Risk, approaches the same subject from another angle.