Forest fires: a silent danger to our water quality until 2033!

Forest fires: a silent danger to our water quality until 2033!

forest fires are an urgent topic, not only in the USA, but also in Germany. In a recent study, researchers at the University of Colorado in Boulder have determined that forest fires significantly impair water quality in the long term. Carli Brucker and her team analyzed 100,000 water samples from 500 river catchment areas in the western United States. Their results show that the pollutants from forest fires - including organic carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen - can damage water quality up to eight years after a fire. These findings are of great importance, because they aim to improve water management strategies and to strengthen resilience towards future fires, so MDR .

In Germany there is gratifying news about the number of forest fires. In 2023, 1,059 fires were registered, which represents a decline of almost 50 percent compared to the previous year. According to the Environmental Federal Office , the forest area affected was 1,240 hectares, which is above the long-term mean of 710 hectares. These fires are distributed differently regionally, whereby Brandenburg has the largest number with 251 fires. The Jüterbog region is particularly affected, in which more than 700 hectares burned on a ammunition -contaminated former military training area.

causes and consequences of forest fires

The main cause for most forest fires in Germany is human action, including arson and carelessness. In over 54 percent of cases, the careless behavior of forest visitors, campers or children is based. Over 51 percent of the fires also had no determinable cause in 2023. In comparison, natural causes such as lightning strikes are only responsible for a fraction of the fires. The predictions that predict an increasing risk of forest fire in the coming decades are also worrying due to higher temperatures and fewer precipitation, so the Greenpeace .

The effects of forest fires are not only noticeable. You can endanger the stability and vitality of the forest ecosystems. Earthfire and smoldering fires in particular damage the roots of plants, while crown fire can result in catastrophic losses of the inventory. At the same time, some studies show that forest fires can also have positive effects on biodiversity by promoting ecological niches and growing new species.

In order to minimize future damage caused by forest fires, it is recommended to change the needle tree monocultures in mixed forests that have a higher dolphwood content. This can make the forest more resistant to fires and at the same time the biodiversity can be promoted.

It remains to be seen which further steps are necessary to counter the challenges that forest fires bring with them both in the USA and Germany and beyond. However, one thing is certain: the relevance of suitable water management strategies will continue to increase in the coming years.