Freiburg's city forest: climate function strong! Condition and maintenance in focus

Freiburg's city forest: climate function strong! Condition and maintenance in focus

In the past few days, a nationwide message has caused excitement: According to the Federal Forest Inventory, the forest could no longer meet its climate protection function. In Freiburg, the forestry office took this as an opportunity to inform about the situation of the urban forest areas on site. At a press conference in the Sternwald, the environmental mayor Christine Buchheit as well as forestry manager Nicole Schmalfuß and manager Berno Menzinger talk about the current forest care and its importance for climate protection.

"climate protection is not only a pleasant side effect of the care of the Freiburg city forest", explained bookness and emphasized that sustainable forestry also includes the protection of biodiversity and the social function of the forest. These goals were set in a forest convention as early as 2020 and are consistently pursued. However, it is clear to the specialists of the forestry office that a differentiated view is required to understand the actual situation. "The Federal Forest Inventory is an average analysis and does not provide a comprehensive overview of the situation of the city forest," says Schmalfuß.

Promotion of climate protection through sustainable management

The Freiburg Forestry Office has been carrying out a natural management of the city forest since the 1990s, which strengthens its trees and makes it adaptable to future climatic conditions. The city forest consists of a stable mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees and largely rejuvenates itself. "A healthy forest is an important carbon store. Plants binding carbon, both living trees and through dead wood and in the ground," explain the forest managers. In addition, targeted wood marketing benefits climate protection by using high -quality wood sustainably.

The Freiburg city forest is divided into different forest types, including the deciduous tree -heavy plain forest and mountain forest. "We have been avoiding monocultures for many years," said Schmalfuß. The diversity is high; No tree species represent more than 20 percent of the total stock. With around 50 different tree species, Freiburg actively promotes biodiversity and secures the long -term health of the forest.

A crucial criterion for forest health is nature rejuvenation. Light for young trees is created on around 1,700 hectares. "Hunting plays a special role here. If the deer is regulated in moderation, the young trees can grow better," explains Schmalfuß. Storm damage also offers opportunities for forest renewal, since tree seeds can germinate under the new lighting conditions.

The wood stocks of the Freiburg city forest are gratifyingly high compared to the national average. There are an average of 380 cubic meters per hectare, which is above the nationwide value of 335 cubic meters. Every year, the forestry office takes around 8.5 cubic meters per hectare, a total of around 40,000 solid meters of wood. Part of this wood remains as dead wood and ensures habitats of different animal species. The nature rejuvenation is largely independent, whereby the forestry office intervenes moderately to support the trees.

"Our surveys clearly show that the Freiburg city forest very well fulfills its climate function," said an optimistic conclusion from Schmalfuß. The city of Freiburg is one of the largest forest owners in Germany, which increases responsibility for forest care and commitment to climate protection. This basis forms a solid basis for a sustainable future of the Freiburg city forest, the importance of which extends far beyond the city limits.