Saxony-Anhalt's forests in crisis: oak distress and bark beetle attacks!

Saxony-Anhalt's forests in crisis: oak distress and bark beetle attacks!

The forests in Saxony-Anhalt remain in a critical condition despite a wet spring and better financial support from the state. The oak, which is one of the most important tree species in the region, is particularly struggling. In recent years, experts have reported increasing losses and damage caused by various insects. In particular, the wheel revolves around the bark beetle, which has particularly decimated the spruce population. There are hardly any buyers for oak wood on the market, which has a negative impact on the forest owners' income stern.de reported.

Another point of concern is the unused area of ​​around 12,000 hectares in Saxony-Anhalt, which is still not planted. This represents an additional challenge, as natural regeneration and planned reforestation become very difficult due to the persistently poor conditions. Despite the improved funding guidelines, financing remains a major problem because Saxony-Anhalt is not one of the wealthiest federal states and therefore cannot invest indefinitely.

Challenges caused by weather events

Extreme weather events have increased rapidly in recent years and are putting considerable strain on forests. Storm Vaia caused around 1.6 million cubic meters of damaged wood, showing how strong tree trunks can come under pressure from stormy winds. The drought and the associated heat periods also promote the bark beetle population, while windfall and dead wood create additional habitats for pests. Such conditions are not only a problem for the trees, but also endanger soil quality and water balance, which can lead to long-term loss of carbon and nutrients, such as demanega.com explained.

Soil water absorption is affected by extreme rainfall and past forest fires. Areas at risk of erosion that have left unvegetated ash landscapes after a fire represent an additional challenge. Immediate measures are required here to get the forests back on track and to promote healthy, species-rich forest management, as is the case mdr.de addresses.

Long-term solutions

Reforestation is generally understood as a project that must last for generations. There is discussion about creating a climate-resilient mixed forest that is robust to future climate changes. Agriculture Minister Sven Schulze points out that around 1,500 hectares are reforested every year, but it remains unclear how many trees actually grow and survive. The need to stop climate change and make forests healthier is urgent because forests play an essential role in climate protection by offsetting 11 to 14 percent of greenhouse gases in Germany.

So there is a lot of work ahead of us to revitalize the forests in Saxony-Anhalt and keep them livable for future generations. This affects not only the foresters, but also society as a whole, as we all depend on the irreplaceable ecosystem services of trees.