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Adaptation and implementation strategies for coppice forests on steep slopes with outstanding protection functions (KlimaNiederwald)
Project
Project code: 28WA407401
Contract period: 01.01.2018
- 31.12.2020
Budget: 316,723 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: forestry, soil (soil conservation, soil fertility, soil cultivation, soil health), silviculture, climate (climate relevance, climate protection, climate change), education, monitoring, forest protection
The project focusses on coppice forests, which have special protective functions due to their occurrence on steepslopes. The overall target is to maintain and improve these protective functions below climate change conditionsthrough active forest management. The precise objectives areA) The development of a guide to action - which is nationwide valid - on how coppice forests with special protectivefunctions can be adapted to climate change conditions, while preserving their functions.B) The implementation of this guide to action at demonstration and monitoring areas along with a silviculturalcoaching for multipliers from different federal states.Traditional coppicing has been mostly abandoned during the last decades. Yet, the protective functions of coppiceforests will be lost to a major degree when not managed actively. Consequences are- Impairment of soil protection: Most coppice forests occur on steep slopes. Thus when unmanaged, relatively talltrees can cause small-scale tree falls even when soil conditions are comparatively good. The unprotected soil willthen be eroded during precipitation events.- Reduced nature protection: Active coppicing creates a forest which displays a mosaic of different developmentalstages. The different harvesting methods of the past have created periodically open landscapes and a diversity ofedge effects, which provide a habitat for pioneer tree species and rare, light-demanding tree species such as theservice tree (Sorbus domestica) and the checker tree (Sorbus torminalis) and also for typical animal indicator species,such as the hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia). This contributes to the indicator 5 „Artenvielfalt und Landschaftsqualität“of the German national strategy for sustainability. Without active management the tree diversitydecreases and edge effects disappear.- Reduced protection of objects: There is a high probability that heavy rainfall events increase in the future due toclimate change. This could cause an increase in areas of tree falls and landslides on steep slopes. Objects, such asstreets, tracks and settlements below these slopes could be at risk.- Reduced resource provision: When unmanaged, the provision of resources by the forest will be reduced, sincepotential wood stocks will remain unused in the forest. Otherwise the carbon storage in wood products could beincreased and fossil fuels could be replaced by wood energy (substitution).The impairment of these important protective functions needs to be mitigated by adequate measures, which takeinto account the local environment and changes in climatic conditions.
Section overview
Subjects
- Silviculture
- Forestry
- Soil science
- Climate Change
