Germany's woods now resemble long-term hospital cases.
Germany's forests are facing a serious crisis caused by climate change, as revealed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Almost every tree is ailing, and they require long-term medical intervention. About 250 million euros are allocated for forest aid this year, but the funds for the future has not been confirmed yet.
Germany's forests are going through a tough time due to high temperatures, drought and insect infestation. Federal Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, said at a recent event in Berlin that only one in five trees are still healthy. "The forests are becoming a permanent patient," he stated. Therefore, it's crucial to create a long-term treatment plan that may include transforming forests into a more diverse ecosystem. This is a generational project.
Based on new data from 2023, four out of five trees of the most frequently encountered species, namely spruce, pine, beech, and oak, are suffering from illness. There hasn't been any substantial improvement or deterioration since the previous year. Pines have seen some improvement, as the percentage of trees with thinner crowns has dropped from 28 percent to 24 percent. However, the number of beech, oak, and spruce trees with severe crown damage has increased instead.
The ministry has been monitoring the state of forests every year since 1984. The percentage of damaged trees has steadily increased over time. The most significant changes were observed in 2019. "The damage remains at a very high level," stated the ministry.
"The climate crisis has a strong grip on our forests. The severe drought and heatwaves of the past years have had lasting consequences," explained Özdemir. Not only that, but forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change. They absorb carbon dioxide from the air and store it for years and even decades, which is why they are more essential than ever before.
This year, 250 million euros have been set aside for forest support. The funding for the following years is still uncertain.
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The environmental protection and nature conservation efforts in Germany are focusing on creating a long-term treatment plan for the ailing forests, as over 80% of the most common tree species are suffering from illness. Cem Özdemir, the Federal Minister of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of transforming forests into more diverse ecosystems to ensure their survival in education events.
Source: www.ntv.de
