Forest in need: bark beetles and climate change endanger Austria's nature!

Forest in need: bark beetles and climate change endanger Austria's nature!

Austria's forests are under pressure: A new survey shows that almost half of the fires surveyed perceive as a great threat. The problem of drought and especially the bark beetle is becoming increasingly clear. Andreas Gruber from the Austrian Federal Forests emphasizes the unchecked need for more consciousness formation on the risk of fire. "The situation in the forests is dangerous," warns board spokesman Georg Schöppl and appeals to the population of smoking and open fire. Around 50 % of the area of ​​Austria are forested, which makes the topic all the more pressing, as krone.at reports.

At the same time, the small bark beetles, especially the book printer, the forests, conquer the last hot summer and the drought. These insects are a serious threat to already weakened trees and cause massive damage. A fertilized female can develop into an unimaginable number of offspring in a short time - 31250 in just three generations! Such propagation rates can decimate entire tree surfaces in no time, especially if storm and heat offer ideal conditions for reproduction, such as Protectourwinters.at illustrated.

The effects of climate change

The progressive global warming has a direct impact on the reproduction of the bark beetle, because warm temperatures shorten the development cycles and make the trees more susceptible. The damage caused by these pests has increased dramatically in recent years; In 2018, a record year with over 5 million solid meters of damaged wood. In the meantime, mixed forests come into play as an effective solution - they not only offer natural protection against pests, but are also more resistant to extreme weather conditions. However, combating the bark beetle requires quick action and consistent measures to protect the forests, as experts emphasize.