Nature - Dry and sick: Bavaria's forests are in worse shape than ever before
Bavaria's forests are in worse shape than ever before due to drought, storms and pests. "Climate change is simply not taking a break and is progressing extremely quickly," said Bavarian Forestry Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) on Wednesday at the presentation of the Forest Report 2023 in Munich. The results are therefore not surprising, but very alarming.
According to the report, the condition of forest trees has deteriorated compared to the previous year. The proportion of trees that are really healthy has even reached a historic low and is now just under twelve percent. The experts attribute this to the loss of leaves and needles compared to a healthy tree of the same species. The average needle loss has increased by two percent and the leaf loss by around three percent compared to the previous year, according to the report.
In the northern Bavarian administrative districts, the trees had too few needles and leaves due to the water shortage and heat. Although the forests in the south of Bavaria benefited from more precipitation, they were also badly affected this year. "While Middle Franconia continues to lead the way with an average needle and leaf loss of 29.1 percent - followed by Upper Franconia with 28.1 percent - the damage in Lower Bavaria also increased to 25.9 percent and in Upper Bavaria to 25.8 percent," the report continued.
The opposition Greens are also concerned about the results. "We are running out of time because climate change is shaving our forests," said parliamentary group leader Katharina Schulze. The Greens' spokesperson for forests, Mia Goller, criticized the reorganization of responsibilities in the cabinet. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, led by the Free Voters, has been responsible for hunting since this parliamentary term. "Unfortunately, there are well-founded doubts that Hubert Aiwanger, as the minister now responsible, will reduce game populations to a level that is compatible with the forest," she said. However, this is the prerequisite for successful forest conversion.
Kaniber, on the other hand, emphasized that the new Minister of Hunting, Aiwanger, had also made clear statements about forest-compatible game populations. "Because he has also noticed that some thoughts and concerns have arisen," she said. The CSU politician criticized the fact that the motto "forest before game" was repeatedly being used as a battle cry. The principle is enshrined in the Forest Pact and is supported by "both sides" of the state government.
Kaniber also used the presentation of the report to criticize the federal government: "You can't keep talking about sustainability and how important the forests in Germany are and then actually talk your head off when it comes to funding". She hoped that the money from the Climate and Transformation Fund would flow despite the budget crisis. Climate change will not wait for Berlin, the Minister emphasized.
At the same time, Kaniber opposed regulation by the federal government or the EU. "Forests are a matter for the federal states," emphasized the Minister. In view of upcoming laws, she said, they have their hands full fending off "these attacks on the forest".
Forest report 2023
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Source: www.stern.de
