Can the German forest still be saved?

Germany is one of the most densely forested countries in the European Union. But the German forest is not doing well. Bark beetle infestations, storms, drought and forest fires have all left their mark.

The damage to the German forest has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Large areas of spruce, in particular, are dying due to long periods of drought, but beech and oak trees are also suffering from often prolonged drought. The task now is to reforest damaged forest areas so that they can withstand climate change. Species-rich mixed forests that are more resilient to climatic changes are set to be the forests of the future in Germany.

On the occasion of Forest Day, PD Dr. Gregor Aas, Head of the Ecological Botanical Garden at the University of Bayreuth, answers the following questions:

What does the future hold for the forest?

Climate change and the modern demands of society on the forest mean that the forest will alter significantly over the coming decades. The previously dominant tree species, spruce and pine, will become significantly rarer, while deciduous tree species will become more common.

What is the extent of our supply of wood, and are we currently "harvesting" too much wood?

According to the data of the last federal forest inventory, Germany is the country with the highest wood reserves, boasting 3.4 billion cubic metres of wood. On average, there are about 320 cubic metres of wood per hectare of forest area, and the trend is rising. In Germany, about 70 million cubic metres of wood are currently harvested every year. This represents less than the amount of wood that grows in the forest each year.

Which tree species are best suited to Bayreuth/Upper Franconia?

Upper Franconia is highly variable in terms of climate and soils. Yet everywhere, conditions are currently favourable for the red beech. Warmer areas, such as the Regnitz and Main valleys, already offer favourable locations for oaks today, and in times of climate change, but also for hitherto rarer deciduous tree species such as the Norway and field maple, the service tree, and the sweet chestnut. In the Fichtel Mountains and the Frankenwald area, on the other hand, it is mainly the silver fir, the sycamore, and the rowan that feel most at home.

How can the forest contribute to climate protection?

Forests play a key role in climate protection. On the one hand, trees remove a lot of CO2 from the atmosphere in the course of their growth. If they are not harvested and remain in the forest after they die, the bound carbon remains in the forest for a longer period of time as deadwood or humus. If, on the other hand, wood is harvested, it can be used as a building material for houses or furniture and thus the stored carbon can remain bound for a longer period of time. In addition, wood can be used as a substitute for building materials such as steel or concrete, which can only be produced using a large amount of fossil fuels, thus making a significant contribution to climate protection by reducing CO2 emissions.

Can the German forest still be saved?

Yes, forests will continue to exist in the future in the face of increasing drought. What is needed, however, is a targeted conversion to forests with tree species that are better adapted to climate change than spruce and pine. This is the only way that forests will still be able to fulfil their diverse functions for society in 100 years' time, such as supplying wood, clean drinking water, protecting biodiversity and the climate, and providing recreational opportunities for us humans.