The forest of the future

What is the state of forests in Germany?  

Since 1984, the annual state-of-the forest report released by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has revealed what condition the country’s forests are in. In 2022, four out of five trees were diseased. They have suffered very badly from the droughts of recent years and the resulting pest infestation. It is not only climate change and the associated dry conditions that are damaging the forests, however. Soil acidification also plays a role, according to the state-of-the-forest report. Simultaneously, invasive species are spreading that can cope better with the damaged soils and enter into tough competition with domestic species. 

What might the forest of the future look like?  

Experts in the areas of nature conservation and forestry management agree that the forest of the future should be as natural, diverse and adaptable as possible. Becauseforests in Germany are used for the most part for silviculture purposes, the German government wants to promote semi-natural forest management. It is providing 900 million euros until 2026 to support forest owners in their efforts to adapt forests to climate change. This requires them to meet certain criteria, such as allowing five percent of their forest area to develop naturally. 

What can be done to help forests? 

Pierre Ibisch, a forest ecologist from Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, told national broadcaster Deutschlandfunk that more is less, especially when it comes to forests. Dead wood for example can be left in the forest to provide a habitat for insects and bats, while forest floors can be protected against pollutants and compression by heavy machinery. “But if it becomes clear that this is not working, a careful helping hand must be given,” explains the biologist. Targeted planting of domestic species can help set in motion the natural process of ecological succession. 

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