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Environment
Amy Jackson, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Wildfires have wreaked havoc this summer – these plants were prepared

A pine forest in the Canary Islands after a wildfire. Tamara Kulikova/Shutterstock

Summer 2023 has seen wildfire crews tirelessly battle forest fires worldwide. The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the Moroccan coast, have faced their worst fires in 40 years, but amid the devastation lies a remarkable tale of resilience.

The Canary Islands consist of seven islands, including the popular holiday destinations of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. Increased drought and higher temperatures driven by climate change have strained communities and wildlife here. Approximately 6% of Tenerife has been scorched by fire and more than 26,000 residents displaced by fires during 2023. But unlike people, plants cannot escape the harsh conditions.

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