Dossier

Forests in climate change

Tanja Sanders and Andreas Bolte | 12.05.2022

WO Institute of Forest Ecosystems

Which tree species and provenances are particularly suitable for adapting forests to climate change? In view of the drought damage of recent years, this question is of high practical relevance.

Ein toter Baumstamm liegt am Boden, daneben einige junge Nadelbäume

At the Thünen Institute, we are investigating the extent to which trees can adapt to climate change. We do this in long-term field trials, breeding programmes and under controlled conditions in greenhouses and climate chambers. In addition, we are using genetic inventories to investigate the extent to which forests can adapt naturally to climate change.

By analyzing tree rings, we are investigating changes in climate-growth relationships and screening stems to detect altered wood properties.

The Thünen Institute has again contributed to Germany's climate impact and vulnerability analysis in 2021. The report (in German) published by the German Environment Agency (UBA) examines, among other things, the adaptive capacity of our forests and provides an overall view of climate risks with and without adaptation. An important part of the project is to bring together and scientifically evaluate the numerous individual findings on the adaptation status and potential of today's forests.

FAQ

Forest damage due to drought and heat

Forests in Germany are still suffering from the hot and dry weather in 2018 to 2020 and. The situation only eased slightly in 2023 with precipitation above the long-term average. Especially the winter of 2023/24 set a new record. Our FAQ provides answers to questions on forests and climate.

Fire in the forest! What to do?

Again high risk of forest fires. There is a lot of dry wood in the forests and the trees are severely affected by the drought of the past years. What you personally can do when discovering a fire.

Expertise

Logging ban for old, near-natural beech forests

The proposed logging ban for old, near-natural beech forests in public ownership is intended to contribute to climate and biodiversity protection. What potential do these forests have? An assessment.

Thünen explains

Why Forest Use is also Climate Protection

Forests and wood are large carbon reservoirs and thus important pillars of climate protection. Our multimedia report shows whether and how our forests can continue to be used under changing climatic conditions.

Podcast

Episode 11: What kind of trees do we need in future?

Climate change is taking its toll on forests: Since 2018, almost 400,000 hectares of forest stands in Germany alone have died due to drought and pest infestation. There's no question about it: Forests need to be made fit for the challenges of the coming years. But what will the forest of the future look like? Will there still be beech, oak, pine and spruce? Or will species that are still considered exotic today take over the reigns?

Video

Borderless forests

Climate change endangers many forests in Central Europe. The high dynamic of changing growing conditions impede the natural adaptation of forest ecosystems. The international project SUSTREE is aimed at supporting the adaptive ability of major tree species through seed transfer from today allready dry and warm regions.