2024-09-06 22:02:00
Forester Fritz Winkler looks at the small trees that stand on the slope in front of him. “This will be the forest of the future,” he says. The trees have only been growing here for about five years and, accordingly, only a few of them are taller than one or two meters. But it is already clear that there are very different trees there. Instead of planting just one type, Fritz has planted a colorful mix here: maple trees, oaks, willows, beeches. A few spruces.
It used to be different. We take the tractor to another part of the forest. There is no sign of mixed forest here: only spruces tower up, 20 or 30 meters into the sky, with thick trunks. These trees were planted about 40 years ago: “Back then, the prevailing opinion was that you should plant lots of spruces. The spruce was the ‘bread tree’.” What Fritz means by this has nothing to do with baked bread, but with money. Spruces grow quite quickly and have very straight trunks. They were very popular with forest owners because they brought in a lot of money for the wood. Almost half of Austria’s area is covered with forest. We have huge forests that consist almost exclusively of spruce. But the spruce has one enemy: the bark beetle. The tiny little creature burrows under the bark and can kill entire spruce trees. Healthy trees can fight bark beetles relatively well. However, when climate change means there is less and less rain, stronger storms and it is often hot, the spruce does not have enough strength to defend itself and the beetle reproduces easily, eats away at the wood and more spruce trees die.
Forests, including spruce forests, are very important for our climate. Trees have a superpower: they can use sunlight to convert CO₂, a gas that drives climate change, into oxygen. And we need that to breathe. They can also store CO₂ in wood. Trees are therefore a real tool in the climate crisis, which is why it is important that there are many of them, that they can grow old and are not immediately cut down or die.
“The problem is that trees take a long time to grow,” explains Viktoria Valenta from the Federal Research Center for Forests. Forests that we plant today should also be able to cope with the climate in 80 years. While trees used to have plenty of time to adjust to new conditions, today they have to adapt quickly. If you plant forests made up of different tree species, it is much more likely that a large number of them will survive despite climate change.
“Diversity is the key to success in the future,” says Fritz. That is why his newly planted area is now “the forest of the future.”
Image: SN/ Image: SN/ Image: SN/stock.adobe.com/Günter Albers/erg3d (generated with AI)
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Table of Contents
The Importance of Mixed Forests in the Face of Climate Change
As forester Fritz Winkler gazes upon a diverse range of young trees, he envisions a sustainable future for forestry practices. His approach, which involves planting a mix of maple, oak, willow, beech, and spruce trees, is a departure from the traditional method of relying on a single species, such as spruce, which has dominated Austrian forests for decades. This shift towards mixed forests is crucial in the face of climate change, which poses significant threats to the health and resilience of our forests.
The Limitations of Monoculture Forests
In the past, spruce trees were the preferred choice for forest owners due to their rapid growth rate and straight trunks, making them highly valuable for wood production. However, this monoculture approach has proven vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The bark beetle, a tiny insect that burrows under the bark of spruce trees, has become a major threat to these forests. As climate change leads to drought, stronger storms, and heatwaves, spruce trees are unable to defend themselves against the beetle’s attacks, resulting in widespread death and destruction.
The Benefits of Mixed Forests
In contrast, mixed forests offer a more resilient and sustainable approach to forestry. By planting a diverse range of tree species, foresters can create ecosystems that are better equipped to withstand the challenges posed by climate change. Mixed forests exhibit greater stability, production potential, and adaptability to changing environmental conditions [[3]]. Moreover, they provide a natural barrier against pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides and other chemicals.
The Role of Forests in Combating Climate Change
Forests, including mixed forests, play a vital role in mitigating the effects of climate change. Trees have the remarkable ability to convert CO₂ into oxygen through photosynthesis, and they can store carbon dioxide in their wood and soil. This makes them a crucial tool in the fight against climate change. As Viktoria Valenta from the Federal Research Institute notes, the growth rate of trees is a significant limiting factor, but it is essential to prioritize their long-term health and survival.
Economic Considerations
While the economic benefits of spruce monocultures may be appealing in the short term, they pale in comparison to the long-term advantages of mixed forests. A study on the economic consequences of altered survival probabilities for mixing Norway spruce and European beech found that diversified forests can provide a more stable and sustainable source of income [[2]]. Furthermore, the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services offered by mixed forests can generate significant economic benefits, including eco-tourism and recreation opportunities.
Conclusion
As we look to the future of forestry practices, it is clear that mixed forests offer a more sustainable and resilient approach to managing our woodlands. By embracing diversity and promoting ecological balance, we can create forests that are better equipped to withstand the challenges posed by climate change. As Fritz Winkler so eloquently puts it, “This will be the forest of the future.” Let us work together to create a future where our forests thrive, providing ecosystem services, supporting biodiversity, and helping to combat the ongoing climate crisis.
References:
<a href="https://www.eforester.org/Main/News/MixedForestsMayNotResistClimateChange.aspx”>[1]
The Importance of Mixed Forests in the Face of Climate Change
As forester Fritz Winkler gazes upon a diverse range of young trees, he envisions a sustainable future for forestry practices. His approach, which involves planting a mix of maple, oak, willow, beech, and spruce trees, is a departure from the traditional method of relying on a single species, such as spruce, which has dominated Austrian forests for decades. This shift towards mixed forests is crucial in the face of climate change, which poses significant threats to the health and resilience of our forests.
The Limitations of Monoculture Forests
In the past, spruce trees were the preferred choice for forest owners due to their rapid growth rate and straight trunks, making them highly valuable for wood production. However, this monoculture
