Can cows prevent wildfires? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, the hosts discuss the surprising role of cows in preventing wildfires in Spain. They explore how wildfires, often caused by human activity, are intensified by unchecked vegetation in forests. The conversation highlights the reintroduction of tauros, a species of cow, to graze and trample vegetation, reducing fire risk. The program also introduces key vocabulary related to extinction, domestication, and flammability, while addressing the larger environmental issue of increasing wildfire intensity. The hosts end by revealing that four out of five wildfires are manmade, offering a thought-provoking take on environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 The show *Lassie* and other TV programs like *Flipper the Dolphin* and *Skippy the Kangaroo* featured animals helping humans in distress.
• 😀 Wildfires are uncontrolled fires in areas like forests and grasslands, often exacerbated by hot, dry conditions, such as those in Spain.
• 😀 A significant portion of wildfires is caused by human activity. According to the Natural History Museum of Utah, four out of five wildfires are manmade.
• 😀 Climate change has made wildfires more intense and destructive, with increasing temperatures contributing to their severity.
• 😀 In Europe, large grazers like bison, wild horses, and tauros (ancestors of domestic cows) once helped control vegetation growth in forests.
• 😀 When forests grow unchecked, they become more susceptible to wildfires due to dense vegetation that can easily catch fire.
• 😀 Grazers, such as cows, naturally reduce flammable vegetation by eating grass, leaves, branches, and even tree bark.
• 😀 The reintroduction of tauros cows into Spanish forests helps reduce wildfire risk by trampling vegetation and consuming large amounts of plant material.
• 😀 Grazing animals like cows help manage forest density, making the environment less conducive to wildfires.
• 😀 Key vocabulary from the program includes 'unchecked' (uncontrolled growth), 'graze' (to eat grass and plants), 'extinction' (when a species no longer exists), 'domestication' (wild animals controlled by humans), 'voracious' (eager for food), and 'flammable' (easily burned).

Q & A

What is the main topic of this BBC Learning English episode?

The main topic of this episode is how cows are helping to prevent wildfires in Spain by grazing on vegetation and reducing the risk of fires.

What are wildfires, and where do they often occur?

Wildfires are unplanned fires that occur in areas like forests or grasslands, and they often happen in hot, dry countries such as Spain.

How do cows help prevent wildfires in Spain?

Cows help prevent wildfires by grazing on vegetation, eating grass, leaves, and even tree branches. Additionally, their trampling reduces dense vegetation, making the forest less likely to catch fire.

What is the significance of grazers in ecosystems, and why are they important?

Grazers, like cows, are important in ecosystems because they consume vegetation, which helps prevent it from growing unchecked and becoming a fire hazard. Without these animals, forests and grasslands become denser and more prone to wildfires.

What are tauros, and why were they reintroduced to the forests in Spain?

Tauros are a species of cow similar to the wild aurochs, the ancestor of modern domestic cows. They were reintroduced to the forests of central Spain by Rewilding Spain to help manage the vegetation and reduce the risk of wildfires.

What does the word 'unchecked' mean in the context of this script?

'Unchecked' means that something is left to grow without control or regulation, which in this case refers to vegetation growing too densely and becoming more susceptible to wildfires.

What does it mean for a species to be extinct, and can you give an example mentioned in the script?

A species is considered extinct when it no longer exists. An example mentioned in the script is the wild aurochs, the ancestor of domestic cows, which is now extinct.

How do domestication and extinction affect the ecosystems?

Domestication and extinction affect ecosystems by reducing the number of natural grazers that control vegetation. This leads to unchecked growth of plants and an increased risk of wildfires, as seen in the forests of Spain.

What does the term 'voracious' mean, and how is it used in the context of the cows?

'Voracious' means having a strong desire for something, especially food. In the context of the cows, it describes their eager and insatiable appetite for vegetation, which helps them control plant growth.

What proportion of wildfires are caused by human activity, according to the Natural History Museum of Utah?

According to the Natural History Museum of Utah, four out of every five wildfires are caused by human activity.