One-day workshop: Forests in climate change

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Seminar: Forests in Climate Change

When hiking through local forests, even in summer, the vibrant green is increasingly interrupted by brown-gray hues. Especially in conifer plantations, it's not uncommon to see only the skeletons of trees stretching their withered branches bare into the sky. Official surveys by the German government on the state of forests confirm this picture: the forest is in increasingly poor health. With the recent extremely dry and hot summers, the culprit is seemingly quickly identified: human-induced climate change. This undoubtedly poses major challenges to our local ecosystems, but our treatment of the forest and its products also has a direct impact on its health.

In this seminar, we will therefore explore the questions of how we can preserve the forest as a functioning ecosystem, what the forest of the future might look like, and how each individual can support it on its path to a greener future.

After a brief update on current climate change forecasts and an assessment of the observed forest damage in the seminar center, the morning will be spent out into the forest around Wershofen with conservation and landscape ecologist Patrick. There, the already noticeable effects of climate change on different forest management systems can be wonderfully compared. Questions such as the selection of adapted tree species or the management of large clear-cut areas are best answered outdoors. The focus will be on the extent to which the type of management can further weaken or strengthen forests.

After a shared lunch, we'll discuss strategies for protecting the forest most effectively. Who are the major forest destroyers? Where do we need to start if we want to give the forests breathing room again? What can each individual do for the forest in their everyday lives?

One thing is clear right from the start: even if our forests are in a really bad state, it's by no means too late for honest and committed climate and forest protection! Even the often-maligned bark beetle can be an important helper on our path to a healthy and vibrant forest.

Please remember to wear weatherproof clothing.