If oaks, beeches or spruces are sick, you can also tell from the treetops. There are now new official assessments on this.
Stress caused by drought, damage caused by beetles: Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) is today presenting data on the condition of German forests last year. According to the 2022 survey, four out of five trees were recently diseased. The data comes from the annual forest condition survey, which has been carried out using a network of samples since the 1980s. The condition of the tree crowns is assessed. The government also wants to better arm forests against the consequences of climate change with a planned law.
FDP parliamentary group deputy Carina Konrad told the dpa that the forest is a patient that urgently needs help. “Leaving him to his own devices would be a failure to help.” To achieve this, it is important to give forest farmers more freedom again. Because a healthy and actively managed forest stores more CO2. A resilient forest must also integrate non-native tree species, because not all native ones can withstand increasing extreme weather conditions. This also includes enabling new breeding methods and plant protection.
Özdemir: “One in five trees is healthy”
Özdemir is currently preparing a reform of the almost 50-year-old Federal Forest Act. According to previous ministry statements, the aim is to combine improvements for climate protection and biodiversity as well as economic prospects for forest owners. Forests cover around a third of Germany’s entire area.
German forests continue to suffer from drought, higher temperatures and bark beetles. “One in five trees is healthy,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir on ZDF’s “Morgenmagazin”.
“The cause is the climate crisis, which is making itself felt,” said Özdemir. On the one hand, the climate crisis must continue to be combated at high speed and at the same time the forests must be converted into climate-resilient mixed forests. “We’re talking about a generational project.”
According to the 2022 forest condition survey, the crowns of around one in three trees were heavily thinned. Overall, there were no significant improvements in the condition of the forest, but also no significant deterioration compared to 2021. Environmentalists and forest owners are also pushing for a conversion to more resilient forests.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
