Climate change threatens forests: the new strategies against the crisis!

Climate change threatens forests: the new strategies against the crisis!

The forests in Germany face enormous challenges that are reinforced by the consequences of climate change. A worrying picture is particularly evident in Rhineland-Palatinate: According to the Report by n-tv , 85.2 % of the trees in the region are considered to be damaged. These alarming numbers are a result of the tested tree species that aim to increase the resistance of the forests.

climate change requires dryness and heat that have a negative impact on tree health. Forester Joscha Erbes underlines the urgency of a diverse tree species mixture to protect the forest sustainably. "In the past, the planting was more schematic and one -sided. Today, the vertical mix of different tree species and age structures is essential," explains Erbes. These measures are intended to help strengthen the resistance of the forests from environmental influences.

The tree species in the Vorholz area

in the Vorholz district, which belongs to the Rheinhessen forestry district, 40 % of the trees are oked and 30 % on Buchen, while the remaining 30 % represent a mixture of 44 other tree species. This diversity should not only take into account the ecological aspect, but also the different lighting needs of the trees as in red oak and beeches, the growth of which depends heavily on the light control.

The forest state report 2023, which is raised annually, shows that high damage to the forests can also be determined in Germany as a whole. Over 9688 trial trees have been examined for 402 test points, and the condition of the crowns hardly changes compared to the previous year. The average crown agree was 25.9 %, while only 20 % of the trees reported without crown damage, Das BMEL .

The effects of climate change

The year 2023 was very precipitation, but the temperatures have been the highest since 1881. These extreme strain above all older trees that are increasingly affected by damage. The forest state is influenced by numerous factors such as construction ages, shame organisms and weather. In particular, the spruce shows increasing crown evacuation, while slight fluctuations were found in jaws and beech.

In recent years, the loss of inventory has increased rapidly, which could potentially lead to the forests of losing their function as carbon sinks. However, the CO2 bond through the forests is still enormous and relieves the atmosphere annually by around 62 million tons. The Federal Office for Nature Conservation (BFN) meets these challenges, the Strategies developed and scientifically evaluated for sustainable use and protection.

an outlook on forest maintenance

In order to make the forests future -proof, 600 new and alternative tree species were planted this winter. A total of around 20 tests with different tree species run to identify the most suitable options and to promote resistance. The commitment to a generation change under foresters focuses more on the forest stopping instead of pure economy.

The planning for forest management is designed for decades. Dining chestnuts that grow under optimal conditions need about a year to grow one meter. These long -term considerations are necessary to meet the constant change through climate change.

On January 9, 2025, climate protection minister Katrin Eder will present the current forest state report in Mainz. It remains to be hoped that the measures taken and the focus on diversification and maintenance are positive effects and the forest in Rhineland-Palatinate and beyond is strengthened.