Instructions for the silviculture of the future – Simonswald

. The Forest Research Institute (FVA) Freiburg recently started a pilot project on “Simplified location information in small private forests”. Since climate change is affecting the forest considerably, silviculture that is adapted to the climate and location is of great importance.

As part of this project, regional tree species maps are created, which are intended to help private forest owners to advise the private forest owner much more precisely on the choice of tree species and the maintenance of future forests. Forestry Director Martin Schreiner, Hans-Gerd Michiels from the FVA Forest Nature Conservation Department, and foresters Peter Häpperle, Bernhard Baumann and Mathias Rapp met to present the project. Mayor Stephan Schonefeld, chairman of the forestry association and his colleague Hannelore Reinbold-Mench, chairwoman of the Black Forest Breisgau forest cooperative, followed the project presentation with interest. Those involved thanked Thomas Weis for providing his private forest. Martin Schreiner explained why silviculture adapted to the climate and location will be necessary in the future. For around 60 percent of the almost 393,000 hectares of small private forest in Baden-Württemberg, no detailed site maps are yet available. In order to fill these blank spaces, the FVA will evaluate existing information on the terrain, geology, soils and climate in the area in question. Much of the data is now available digitally.

Hans-Gerd Michiels used tables to provide information about precipitation since 1988 and temperature development for almost 50 years, which make climate change recognizable. Then he showed the nature of the forest floor at a 1.40 meter deep hole in the ground that Thomas Weis had excavated. The branching roots of the spruce as well as the soil and rock layers were clearly visible. Michiels also gave interesting advice on terrain, geology, and irrigation. Complex field work with the “Bohrstock” is limited in area.

In order to ensure a quick basis for advising small private forest owners, this project is to be made available to the FVA Freiburg for simplified location information. The regional setting includes forest areas in the districts of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Emmendingen and Schwarzwald-Baar. The project is financed by the Ministry of Rural Areas and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg, under the direction of the Freiburg Regional Council; it is carried out by the FVA. The focus of the project in the Emmendingen district will be the area southeast of the Elz. Those involved were happy that the “starting shot” was given in Obersimonswald.

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