Dossier

Forests in climate change

Von 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.

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.

In 2019, the Thünen Institute has developed a concept for a National Forest Adaptation Network. An important part of the work is to bring together the many individual findings on the adaptation status and adaptation potential of today's forests systematically and evaluate them scientifically.

Thus, for us, looking into the future is always also looking into the past.

FAQ

Forest damage due to drought and heat

German forests suffer under the prevailing weather conditions of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. In the following, we provide answers to frequently asked questions about forests and climate.

Fire in the forest! What to do?

The risk of forest fires is high again this year. There is a lot of dry wood in the forest and, as the 2021 Forest Condition Survey shows, the trees are severely affected by the drought of recent years. What you can do personally if you discover a fire.

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.

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.

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