Future of forests: Mushroom infestation endangers domestic tree species

Future of forests: Mushroom infestation endangers domestic tree species

The change of the German forests: challenges and opportunities

The current changes in the German forests raise important questions. The domestic tree species, such as the ash and the maple, are increasingly threatened by various mushrooms. This has an impact on the forests themselves, but also on the entire ecosystem and the associated economic aspects.

threat from fungi and their consequences

The ash suffers greatly from the ash death death caused by the mushroom types HymenosCyphus pseudoalbidus. This means that shoots die and finally the entire tree dies. Experts emphasize that the effects of this fungal infection are devastating. However, recent research in the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) has produced new approaches; A bacterium that can inhibit the growth of the mushroom was discovered on healthy ash.

The soot is soot as a new opponent

Another threat is the mushroom cryptostroma corticale, which particularly affects maple trees. The result of this infection is the massive peeling of the bark, which can ultimately lead to the death of the tree. According to the forest building expert Petercord, this problem was not an issue in the forests ten years ago, but today the situation looks very different. He warns that the main tree species in Germany will lose space.

an imbalance in the ecosystem

The sensitive balance between trees and the organisms that they normally protect is badly disturbed. Among other things, the reasons for this are extreme weather conditions and human interventions that withdraw the necessary strength to defend themselves against pests. This increases the vulnerability of the trees against diseases and pests.

The call for diversity in the forests

experts demand that forest management fundamentally to rethink. The conversion of spruce stocks into mixed forests has been underway for decades and is considered the way of the future. Institute manager Hartmann emphasizes the importance of a permanent mixed forest, whereby it is necessary to test different tree species and, if necessary, to consider new, non -domestic species.

resilience through supported migration

A new European study in which the Thünen Institute for Wald Ecosystems is involved emphasizes that forests of the future should be supplemented by tree species from other climatic regions. This "supported migration" could serve as a solution to secure the survival of the forests in view of the changing climatic conditions.

The importance of research and adaptation

The challenges are considerable, but also the opportunities that can result from a well thought -out and diverse forest strategy. It is up to us to set the course for sustainable and resilient forest future.

- Nag