The mysterious forest: nature, history and sustainable visions!

The mysterious forest: nature, history and sustainable visions!

The forests in Germany are not only the country's green lungs, but also a testament to history. This is particularly noticeable in the Saarkohlenwald, which has traces from different eras such as old Roman roads and relics of industrial culture. Here you will find kiln sites from the former charcoal factory, tailings heaps and disused tunnels that tell of a rich, past culture. Nature also has its place here: a virgin forest of around 1,000 hectares has been developing unhindered and without human intervention since 1997.

Since 1988, the state forests have relied on natural forest management. This method does not require clear-cutting or the use of pesticides and promotes biodiversity in numerous ways. The state forests are particularly proud of the close cooperation with NABU Saarland and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation to guarantee the preservation of biological diversity. The goal? To combine the landscape of industrial culture with a sustainable approach.

A model project for the future

In the northern area of ​​the Saarkohlenwald, natural forest management is supplemented by a process-oriented model project. This project not only protects the forest, but also places emphasis on environmental education. Children and young people can experience the forest up close in the wilderness camp and explore its habitat.

But what about the forests throughout Germany? According to that Federal Environment Agency Around a third of Germany's area is covered with forest - around 11.4 million hectares. These forests not only contribute to biodiversity, but are also under pressure. Between 2018 and 2022, around 245 million cubic meters of damaged wood fell in Germany alone, mainly due to insect calamities. This makes sustainable forest management all the more important.

Sustainable strategies and challenges

The federal government has taken on the issue and is committed to sustainable, natural forest management. The aim is to maintain the productivity and vitality of our forests and promote the health of forest ecosystems. Various strategies such as the Helsinki Declaration of 1993 and the Forest Strategy 2050 focus on preserving biological diversity and improving the protective function of soil and water.

In the state forest, the proportion of near-natural areas is 40%, in the private forest it is 30.5%. Older stands over 120 years old are significantly more close to nature than younger ones. But the challenges are great: it is important to keep the extraction of wood within a responsible framework and to lead the forests on a path close to nature. The certification systems for sustainable forest management, such as PEFC and FSC, also demonstrate efforts to achieve ecological standards.

The importance of near-natural forest management is also shown by the desired carbon storage in the land use and forestry sector. The initiatives are promising, but can only be fruitful if all actors pull together.

In summary, preserving our forests is not only an ecological necessity, but also a question of responsibility towards future generations. One more reason to visit the forest more often and enjoy nature in all its glory.