The beauty of the natural world. - Backhaus is hopeful about the significance of beech forests.
The beech forests in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are in better shape than anticipated. The Forest Status Report of Landestage from 2023 reveals that these trees are more vigorous than last year, as stated by Agriculture and Environment Ministry on the occasion of UNESCO World Heritage Day on Sunday. The beech forests in Serrahn, Müritz National Park, and Jasmund on Rügen were designated World Heritage Sites in 2011. "To lose our beech forests would be a massive blow for the ecosystem," remarked Minister Till Backhaus (SPD). Old, natural beech forests with primeval structures host a vast range of species.
The Landesforst conducted a study at the Schmalen Luzin within the Feldberger Seenlandschaft Nature Park. It was noted that several beeches had perished after the drought years 2018 and 2019. Tree growth in this region has gradually fallen since the 1970s. The Institute for Forest Botany at TU Dresden examined the growth of beech trees in Middle Germany over several years before and after the drought period, resulting in a surprising finding: "The young trees grew equally well during the drought as before." These trees did not respond to the water shortage.
This outcome is linked to Andreas Roloff's viewpoint: young beeches can adjust better to drought periods than previously imagined. They create smaller leaves with a thicker waxy layer on the upper leaf surface. Older trees, on the other hand, may not be as flexible and die quicker when grappling with drought.
TU Dresden monitored forest development in Serrahn from 1968 to 2020. The trees have grown considerably, with the wood stock exhibiting resemblance to European beech forests. The Minister, Backhaus, pinpointed the most significant challenge for these forests as climate change. However, he emphasized that despite examining various locations and time spans, recent studies tend to be optimistic, as many indigenous tree species appear more adaptable than initially assumed.
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The Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMU) supports research on the climate impact on beech forests. The study, conducted by TU Dresden and UNESCO, reveals that young beech trees in certain regions have shown resilience to drought periods. This finding contradicts earlier assumptions that older trees are more adaptable to climate changes. Minister Backhaus calls for continued efforts to conserve the beech forests in Schwerin, as they serve as key habitats for various species and contribute significantly to the region's environmental biodiversity. The SPD leader emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the Federal Government, state governments, and environmental organizations to combat climate change and ensure the long-term preservation of these valuable natural resources.
