- Damp summer seasons provide the forest with a respite.
Following a series of dry years, this summer has brought about frequent rain showers, providing much-needed nourishment for Mother Nature's restoration. "The forest has enjoyed a much-deserved break after enduring the devastation brought on by drought during the past five years," remarks Christian Raupach, a representative of the Hessian Forest Owners' Association. Thanks to the downpours, groundwater levels have been restored, enabling trees to develop intricate root systems that enable them to absorb more water, thus increasing their resilience against illnesses and pests.
According to Raupach, the younger trees have thrived remarkably this season, even growing significantly in June. However, the urgent task at hand is to maintain the forest, trimming back the nettles and brambles to prevent them from taking over.
Regrettably, much of the damage sustained during the previous dry spell cannot be reversed. "The spruces have suffered substantial damage, albeit the destructive progress has been halted, especially in the Vogelsberg and Wetterau regions," says Raupach. Unfortunately, the excess rainfall has also resulted in hindrances such as making it difficult to operate heavy machinery in the forest for logging, potentially damaging the soil in the process.
In observations made by the Hessian Forest Authority, the trees that have managed to escape unscathed have experienced exponential growth, whereas salvaging the previously damaged trees has been unlikely. In specific areas, bark beetle infestations have become problematic due to their rapid reproduction, and fungal infections have also been prevalent, claims Thomas Ullrich of Hessen-Forst.
Satellite imagery has revealed that thousands of hectares of forest have been damaged in recent years. However, thanks to this year's rainfall, the extent of the damage has significantly reduced, leaving only a few hundred hectares of destroyed forestland. The deficit left by the dry years has yet to be fully redressed, as above-average rainfall is currently necessary due to climate change, informs Ullrich.
The Odenwald region has fared rather well, while the Taunus and some parts of Central Hesse have experienced less favorable outcomes, says Ullrich. Overall, he declares, "One can speak of relief." From the forest's perspective, we would covet another five to six dry-free years."
In terms of agriculture, Hesse has been deluged with more rain than necessary, causing issues during sowing and haymaking periods, explains agricultural meteorologist Andreas Brömsen. Germany is currently experiencing the wettest twelve-month period since records began in 1881, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).
In Hesse, the DWD has preliminarily recorded an average of 89 liters of rain per square meter in July, far surpassing the long-term mean of 73 liters from the international reference period of 1961 to 1990. The exceptional June also saw 88 liters of rain per square meter, surpassing the long-term mean (80 liters). August is on track to follow this trend, remarks Brömsen.
Raupach mentions that the Vogelsberg and Wetterau regions in Hessen have seen reduced damage to spruces due to the summer rains. Despite the improved conditions, Ullrich highlights that the forest in Hessen still requires above-average rainfall due to climate change to fully recover from the past dry years.
