Forest Strategy 2020

1.1 Challenges and opportunities for forests – Need for a forest strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1.2 Course of discussions and involvement of associations . . . . . . . . . 6 2. Vision and Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3. Areas of Action (Initial Situation, Challenges, Possible Solutions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.1 Climate protection and adaptation to climate change . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.2 Property, work and income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3.3 Raw materials, use and efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3.4 Biodiversity and forest conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3.5 Silviculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3.6 Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

3.7 Protection of soil and water management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

3.8 Recreation, health and tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

3.9 Education, public relations and research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 4 1. INTRODUCTION to the conclusion about 300 years ago in Germany that sustainable management was the only way of ensuring that future generations would also be able to enjoy the same benefits from forests.

1.1 Challenges and opportunities Whereas this principle was applied initially to tim- ber supply, forestry continuously developed the for forests - Need for a forest principle of sustainability. Today, sustainable strategy forestry pursues the goal of affording permanent, optimum protection to the diverse economic, The demands made on and the responsible use of ecological and social contributions of forests in natural resources are on the increase as a conse- the interest of both today's and future generations. quence of global developments. For the growing This is an ambitious goal and is pursued in world population the central challenges of our age Germany by means of an integrative approach to are food security, raw material and energy supply, sustainable, multi-functional forestry. the preservation of our natural environment, biodiversity and climate change. The climate- In Germany forests are potentially the natural friendly, ecologically-sound and nature-friendly vegetation. Today, more that eleven million hecta- production of renewable resources, therefore, plays res of forest, i. e. 31 % of the country's surface area, a key role in social developments geared towards are sustainably managed. Over the last four deca- sustainability. des the forest area has increased by one million hectares. In Germany, besides agricultural land, In Europe politicians agree on the need to use forests are the most important source of raw mate- dwindling non-renewable resources more effi- rial for biomass which is available in an enduring ciently and, as far as possible, to gradually replace manner in the case of sustainable management. them with renewable ones. Both in the materials The growth conditions in Germany are largely and energy areas it is, therefore, assumed that we favourable. For decades now timber increments are going to see greater use of renewable resources have outstripped felling and this has led to the and renewable energy sources and, by extension, building up of considerable timber reserves. wood, Germany's most important renewable resource. For people in Germany forests have always played an important role. They have shaped German culture and are mentioned in myths, sagas, stories and songs. They have consistently been a highly important economic factor, raw material supplier, climate regulator, habitat for flora and fauna and a place where people go for recreation. Over the course of the millennia the appearance of forests has been shaped by the influence and economic activity of humans. In the face of increasing timber shortages and the threat of forest exploitation, people already came 5 Forests and forestry are more closely linked to behaviour, increasing calls to safeguard the envi- climate than any other sector. Whilst the preserva- ronmental and nature conservation contributions tion of forests, sustainable forest management and of forests, the wishes of hunters and the growing timber use can have a positive effect on climate, need for timber must all be met within the frame- climate changes can have a negative impact on the work of sustainable forest management. health of our forests. The release of CO2 can be avoided or reduced as a consequence of carbon These growing demands from almost all areas – storage in forests, the replacement of fossil fuels use, protection and leisure – can, however, in the and the sequestration of carbon in long-livid tim- future lead to conflicting goals that vary in severity ber products. At the present time, the potential of from region to region. The challenge facing politi- domestic forests to improve climate protection via cians is to evaluate the different demands in an the use of timber is not being fully exploited overall context and establish the framework condi- everywhere. Forests are, however, affected by tions that enable forestry and timber management climate change and this means there is a need for to meet the challenges in a sustainable and, if suitable adaptation measures. possible, optimum manner. Efficient and sustainable forest management, the The Forest Strategy 2020 of the federal government careful use of available resources and the regional contributes to meeting this challenge. production of raw materials close to the processing site are of great relevance not just from the angle of environmental impact assessment. They are, moreo- ver, an important foundation for a high perfor- 1.2 Course of discussions and mance and globally competitive timber and paper involvement of associations industry. Supply security from domestic and global markets is also the precondition for safeguarding jobs and value-added, especially in rural areas. The Forest Strategy was developed on the basis of the results of four symposia in Munich and Berlin. Furthermore, forests fulfil major functions for In a nationwide “cluster study” within the frame- humans, nature and the environment. They are a work of the Charter for Wood, the potential wood climate regulator. They provide a habitat for ani- offering and demand were analysed both at the mals and plants, protective cover on steep slopes, present time and in the future (Munich, May 2008). drinking water and air filters, a place for relaxation The focus of the scientific event in Berlin in Decem- and much more. The functions of forests and the ber 2008 was on forests and forestry in the line of measures taken for their sustainable protection are fire of different social interests. It sought to iden- anchored in the forest and nature conservation tify conflicting interests and to develop possible laws of the federal government and the Länder. solutions. Another symposium was held in May Furthermore, the majority of forest areas are certi- 2009 at which the subject was discussed more fied on a voluntary basis in accordance with recog- extensively by representatives of political circles nised systems using strict criteria of sustainable and associations. At the fourth event in April 2010 forestry. the question was: what kind of forest will be best equipped to meet the many expectations we will Amongst the population at large knowledge about place in it in future and what will it look like? the forest ecosystem and the concept, performance and requirements of sustainable forestry is clearly Representatives of forest owners, forestry, timber on the decline. However, knowledge and under- and energy management, the Länder as well as the standing are the preconditions for the acceptance nature conservation associations were invited to all of sustainable forest management. four events and made extensive contributions to the discussions. At a later stage, groups like the The demands made on forests and forestry will German Hunting Protection Association (DJV), continue to grow in Germany: changes in leisure representatives of sport and nature conservation as 6 to specifically define the forest management goals and to identify ways of solving the problems and conflicts thrown up by the wide-ranging, different social interests. The Forest Strategy 2020 reflects the responsibility of the federal government for forests as a natural and economic resource. It is intended for all relevant stakeholders on the level of the federal government and Länder. The initiative taken by the federal government, Forest Stra- tegy 2020, triggered a new round of discussions and injected fresh life into the well as employees were brought in. This revealed a activities of the Länder themselves (“Forests For broad range of what were sometimes contradictory Lower Saxony”, Forest Strategy 2020 in Saxony- ideas and demands. They all confirmed that the Anhalt, Timber Impulse Programme Schleswig-Hol- expectations of forests are generally on the stein, “Changing Forests” Thuringia/NRW is also increase both in terms of the demand for timber currently working on a forest strategy). The Forest as well as climate protection, protection of Strategy 2020 helps to raise awareness amongst biodiversity and recreation. Hence, balanced but people about the forest ecosystem, and the benefits at the same time solution-oriented answers are of sustainable forestry. needed. The Forest Strategy 2020 also takes on board major findings of the National Forest Programme (NWP). Since 1999 models, general goals and recommended actions have been developed within the NWP in a multi-phase process involving a num- ber of interest groups, associations and public authorities, and accepted as a consensus by most of the stakeholders. However, it has since emerged that the implementation of these general goals and recommen- ded actions as well as the reconcilia- tion of conflicting goals was not fully achievable within the framework of the NWP. In the Forest Strategy 2020 an alternative path is taken in order 7 2. VISION AND GOAL The areas of action and Vision: Sustainable management preserves and subordinate goals of the develops site-specific, robust forests with mainly indigenous species of trees that are able to adapt to Forest Strategy 2020 are: climate change. The forests provide the necessary raw materials, offer diverse habitats for flora and 1. Climate protection and adaptation fauna, fulfil their protective functions and extend The contribution of forestry and timber an invitation to leisure activities. The ecological management to climate protection should be soundness, stability and diversity of forests in safeguarded and increased. Forests need to Germany have all markedly increased. adapt to climate change in order to be able to continue to fulfil their functions for The goal of the Forest Strategy 2020 is to develop a society, owners, nature and the environment. viable balance, adapted to future requirements, between the growing demands made on forests and their sustainable performance. The basis for 2. Property, work and income (value added) this is equal consideration of the three dimensions The economic foundations of forestry enter- to sustainability (ecological, economic and social). prises, value added and jobs in the forestry The goal of the sustainable use of forests calls for and timber industry are to be preserved. the same weight to be given to economic viability as ecological responsibility and social justice. The Forest Strategy should, furthermore, be in harmony 3. Raw materials, use and efficiency with the federal government's other strategies like, The production of timber from sustainable for instance, the National Sustainability Strategy, forestry is to be ensured and the framework the National Biodiversity Strategy, the Biomass conditions improved for the sustainable Action Plan and measures to mitigate climate change. 8 provisioning of raw materials for the timber, 8. Recreation, health and tourism paper and energy industry. After 2020 as well, the growing domestic demand for tim- The value of forests for recreation and ber is to be mainly covered from indigenous leisure and their specific cultural functions supplies and from the sustainable exploita- and contributions are to be maintained and tion of other raw material sources. suitable measures taken to avoid any nega- tive impact on nature, forest property and management. 4. Biodiversity and forest conservation 9. Research, education, awareness-raising: Forest biodiversity is to be further improved by suitable measures. The links between Major research efforts are needed in order forest management and biodiversity are to to avoid and reduce conflicting goals in the be researched more extensively and the above areas of action. At the same time, findings factored into further decision- it is about promoting understanding of the making and planning processes. forest ecosystem, the contributions of sustainable forestry and the use of renewa- 5. Silviculture ble resources within the framework of educational schemes and greater awareness- The forest area in Germany is to be maintai- raising amongst consumers about the forest ned and, if possible, enlarged. The stability, ecosystem. productivity, diversity and naturalness of forests are to be further improved through the proven integrative approach of sustaina- ble, multi-functional forest management. The planting of site-specific, mainly indige- nous species of trees is an important contributory factor here. 3. AREAS OF ACTION 6. Hunting (Initial Situation, Challenges, Hunting makes a special contribution to Possible Solutions) sustainable forestry plays an important role in sustainable forestry. Strict, efficient hun- ting ensures the preservation of the forest 3.1 Climate protection and ecosystem and promotes natural forest adaptation to climate change regeneration. Initial situation: 7. Protection of soil and water management With solar energy, the right amount of water, a harmonious nutrient cycle and CO 2 from the air, Soil, an important production factor for forests produce the natural raw material, wood. forests, is to be protected and harmful 50 % of wood is carbon. As trees grow carbon is effects reduced. The contributions of forest extracted from the air as carbon dioxide. For each management to water supply are to be kilo of timber around 2 kg CO2 are sequestered assessed and opportunities for improved from air and bound as carbon in wood, sometimes remuneration examined. for lengthy periods. Hence forests are a giant natu- ral carbon sink. 9 Forests on the earth store 50 % of total carbon Water shortage, pest infestation and forest fires stocks from the terrestrial biosphere. In contrast to can lead to the destruction of entire forest stands. Germany, more than 13 million hectares of forest Although some effects of climate change are are destroyed around the world every year as a positive, like longer vegetation periods, they are consequence of uncontrolled felling and clearing of outweighed by the negative ones. Longer dry forests by burning, especially in tropical regions. periods in spring in particular can weaken the Afforestation only compensates in part. According vitality of large areas of forests for several years to the latest FAO data as many as 5.2 million hecta- to come. res are still lost every year. Global forest destruction is responsible for almost 20 % of global carbon Given the importance of large woodland areas in dioxide emissions. Without international forest Germany and the long life cycle and production protection, the introduction and promotion of periods of forests, there is a need for sustainable sustainable forest management and suitable adaptation measures like the ones outlined, for adaptation measures, it will be impossible to instance, in the German Adaptation Strategy to achieve the global climate protection goals. Climate Change presented by the federal govern- ment in December 2008. To this end, further Future challenge regional forecasts of climate changes are needed as decision-making aids for the selection of species Forests and sustainable forestry have proven posi- of trees for silviculture. This is because the availa- tive effects on the climate. However, they are also ble forecasts still come with a large degree of uncertainty. In addi- tion, unpredictable interactions between climate and pests hin- der decisions about silviculture adaptation measures. These diffi- culties are very clear in the case of the spruce for example. The spruce is the most frequent type of tree to be found in Germany and is the most economically relevant. Because the spruce grows quickly, it has been planted in many regions that were not its natural habitat. However, spruces are thought to be suscepti- ble to the indirect effects of climate affected by climate change, particularly by the change like growing infestation with bark beetles increasing dry periods and extreme weather and to damage caused by extreme weather condi- conditions like storms and heavy rainfall. Whereas tions like the windthrow. Hence, in some regions isolated weather extremes do not generally impair it does not make economic sense to plant spruce the stability of forests or only impair them on a trees because of the changing climatic conditions. local level, long-term climate changes may In future, this is likely to apply to even more constitute large-scale hazards for forests. regions. 10 then it has steadily decreased. At the present time, 20 million tonnes of CO2 are additionally stored in forests each year. Furthermore, in Germany around 118 million ton- nes of CO2 are stored in what are, in some cases, long-lived timber products. The use of timber in material recycling and energy supply prevents the release of around 80 million tonnes of CO2 from fossil fuels. The cascaded use of timber, where energy use only comes after material use, offers the greatest climate benefits. However, the positive contribution of timber products is not yet taken into account in the inter- national climate regime. This gap is to be closed in a possible follow-up agreement to the Kyoto Protocol. In its Green Paper on Forest Protection the Euro- pean Commission notes, “In the long term, a sustai- nable forest management strategy aims at maintai- Possible solutions: ning or increasing forest carbon stocks and the sustained yield of timber, fibre and fuel generates 4 Forests are to be maintained as a CO2 sink. the largest mitigation benefit.” The climate and energy goals of the federal government are to be backed by measures to In Germany's forests around 1.2 billion tonnes of adapt German forests to climate change and carbon are bound in the biomass both above and to tap the CO2 reduction potential in forests below ground. The development of this store also and timber. impacts how forests affect climate. If growth out- strips timber use, then timber stocks rise and 4 Appropriate steps are to be taken to promote forests act as a CO 2 sink. If timber use is more the use of timber from sustainable forestry as extensive than growth, then the stocks fall and the a substitute for energy-intensive materials forests become a CO2 source. The carbon balance with an unfavourable environmental impact largely depends on age structure. Young forests assessment and carbon footprint. have a high sink capacity whereas in older forests, related to the above-ground biomass, a balance is 4 In the EU and in the international climate established over the long term between CO2 intake negotiations, the federal government (growth) and release (decay). advocates the crediting of timber and timber products in the national climate/CO2 In recent decades Germany has built up large footprint. stocks in forests that had been extensively decima- ted by damage during the war and cutting for 4 Research on the impact of climate change reparation purposes. Currently at 330 solid cubic on forests, their productivity and suitable metres of standing crop/hectare they are the adaptation measures is to be stepped up. highest in Europe. Large areas of German forests (cf. Chapter 3.9). are, therefore, older and at an age where growth levels out. This means that the capacities for 4 The climate adaptation potential of available, further carbon binding by increasing stocks are unused forests is to be examined and tips pas- falling. At the beginning of the 1990s this capacity sed on to forestry services. was around 80 million tonnes CO2 a year. Since 11

3.2 Property, work and income In the European Member States, too, timber from indigenous forests is the raw material basis for a Initial situation: competitive timber industry. In 2007 approximately 3.3 million people in around 365,000 enterprises Use of the raw material timber is an important were employed in forest-based industries (timber, economic factor in Germany. For forest owners paper and printing) of the EU (27). They generated the sale of timber is the biggest source of income. annual turnover of € 454 billion1. The forests in Germany are run by approximately 160,000 private, state and municipal forest enter- prises and more than 4,200 co-operatives. Overall, Future challenge: there are around 2 million private forest owners in Germany. They manage around 47 % of forest area. The expected rise in demand for coniferous wood, Municipal forests account for about 20 %, state coupled with a decline in the proportion of this forests for approximately 33 % of forest area. These type of wood in forests, could lead in the medium different types of ownership have proved their and long-term to bottlenecks and, by extension, to worth. Besides the varying local features, they sawmills, timber companies and pulp manufactu- make a major contribution to forest diversity. ring plants moving elsewhere. This would pose a Approximately 100,000 people employed in state, threat to jobs and economic strength particularly municipal and private forest enterprises generate in rural areas. annual turnover of € 5 billion. Furthermore, forestry plays a diverse role in the protection of In contrast, the proportion of non-coniferous trees natural resources, recreation and health. Up to in the forest area has steadily risen in recent deca- now, this has hardly been taken into account and is des and non-coniferous sawnwood stocks have not normally remunerated. increased considerably. Forestry currently exploits around half of this growth. For many types of non- With suitable overall conditions, German forestry coniferous wood there are still not enough proces- can offer the cluster, forestry and timber with its sing or utilisation options, innovative technologies 1.2 million employees and its turnover of € 168 or future-centric sales markets with high value billion (2009), a reliable source of raw materials. added. The value added of the German timber industry is currently based mainly on coniferous wood. The focus of the professional activity of the large In 2009 there were just under 20 million cubic group of small forest owners with an average forest metres of coniferous sawnwood compared with area of less than 10 hectares lies outside forestry. just 1 million cubic metres of non-coniferous Their individual goals vary considerably. Given the sawnwood. The sales revenues generated by growing alienation, there is frequently no econo- coniferous wood are closely linked to its use in mic incentive to encourage them to get involved in the construction industry. The potential uses of forestry and to acquire the relevant knowledge. non-coniferous wood have by no means been fully exploited up to now, mainly for technical reasons. 1 Source: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/index_en.htm 12 This owner size structure is not conducive to timber mobilisation and forest tending. As a consequence 4 Assistance for forestry units is strengthened of demographic developments and structural especially through the use of forestry experts. changes in rural areas it may even deteriorate Forest owners who have been “passive” up to further. now are to be actively approached by forestry experts, provided with information and encouraged to join forestry co-operatives (FBG) and associations. Beyond the mobilisa- Possible solutions: tion of sustainably usable raw material reserves, a contribution is likewise made 4 The federal government advocates a wide to ensuring forest tending and stand dispersal of private property and will continue stabilisation. to work to protect this. 4 To prevent any job losses it is necessary to 4 Economically viable forest enterprises and fully exploit the sustainably available conife- associations of forest owners are the basis for rous raw wood potential and, in this way, to the responsible sustainable management of reduce the risk of important large-scale forests and the safeguarding of all their employers in the timber and pulp industry functions. Forestry is the foundation for a moving away, particularly from rural areas. highly productive and internationally compe- titive timber industry. The overall conditions 4 In order to tap into the potential of non- should be shaped in such a way that forests' coniferous wood, the timber, pulp and paper ecological and social functions and, by exten- industries are called on to develop further sion, the related jobs and value added are innovative and resource-saving areas of use. safeguarded in the future, too, and can be developed further. 4 The employers recognise their responsibility for their employees. Here, the emphasis is 4 In principle, the overall political and legal on tried-and-tested social standards, conditions should permit forest owners to effective health and accident insurance, work in an economically viable, market- the introduction of up-to-date working time oriented and sustainable manner, and to make schemes and adequate pay in relation to a decent living. performance. 4 Given the growing social, climate policy, 4 A viable forestry industry needs its own quali- ecological and economic demands made on fied experts and service providers to be fit forests and forestry, consulting services for for the future. Forest owners and forestry small private forests should be further entrepreneurs are called on to work together extended as a public task of common, in the future, too, in a trust-based and general interest. responsible manner. 4 The mobilisation of timber potential, particu- 4 In order to safeguard the complex capacity of larly in small private forests under 10 hectares forests in the long term, a minimum number should likewise be improved by measures to of well-trained experts should always be on alleviate the organisational and logistical hand. In this context public-owned forests structural problems. bear considerable responsibility. 13

3.3 Raw materials, use and seven homes is now made of timber. This renewa- efficiency ble building material has further untapped poten- tial in the area of the energy-efficient upgrading of buildings and the construction of multi-storey, Initial situation: industrial and commercial premises. The consump- tion of raw materials alone in the timber-based Domestic consumption of wood resources has stea- material and pulp industry has increased since dily increased over the last two decades and now 2000 by around 19 to just under 36 million cubic amounts to around 130 million cubic metres per metres in 2009. Furthermore, there is a growing year. The category “wood resources” is a gross demand for timber for energy production. This led value that contains some double counting. Wood for the first time in 2006/2007 to a bottleneck that resources include raw wood, waste wood (recovered triggered a dramatic increase in the price of all wood), landscape management materials as well as types of coniferous wood. The windthrow damage industrial wood residues that also come under the caused by “Kyrill” somewhat defused the situation category raw wood. Overall, around 77 million on the timber market at the beginning of 2007. cubic metres are used for material recovery and At the present time, there are once again signs of around 53 cubic metres for energy generation. The a growing supply bottleneck for types of coniferous use of coniferous wood has increased markedly, wood. that of non-coniferous wood has fallen2. Wood is a renewable resource with a broad spec- trum of uses ranging from material recovery down to energy generation. Even today around 10 % of primary energy needs around the globe are still covered from biomass, in particular timber. The energy value of between 2 and 2.5 kilogram wood roughly corresponds to that of one litre heating oil. Right now wood is far cheaper than oil or gas. Fur- thermore, timber can be produced and transported with relatively few risks. The renewable energy source, wood, is normally available locally and reduces dependency on oil and gas imports. This promotes regional economic cycles and the value added remains in the area. The emission values for incineration are generally low now thanks to innovative technologies. The market penetration of low-emission technologies will be concluded by 2025 at the latest 3. The additional capacities created in recent years in Germany in the sawmill, timber-based material and The use of timber, particularly for heat and power pulp industry stem in particular from the use of generation, has increased considerably in recent coniferous wood. Innovative products based on years because of the fluctuating and general coniferous wood have helped timber to break into increase in the price of fossil fuels. More than half new areas of use as a building material. One in of energy timber (28 million cubic metres) was used in private households in 2009. This mainly applies to raw types of wood like firewood that are 2 MANTAU, U. (2009): Holzrohstoffbilanz Deutschland: Szenarien des Holzaufkommens und der Holzverwendung bis 2012 [Wood resource balance Germany: Scenarios of forest resources and timber use up to 2012] (Sonderheft 327 Waldstrategie 2020 3 Implementation of the refurbishment programme 2014 - 2024 of [special issue 327 forest strategy 2012]; proceedings of the BMELV the amendment to the 1st Federal Emission Control Act to reduce Symposium, 10-11 December 2008 in Berlin; pages 27 - 36) pollutant emissions from small-firing installations. 14 not suitable for other material uses or could not (for instance energy input for transport), care must be developed at competitive prices (self-felling). be taken to ensure that the timber comes from Thanks to the support measures of the federal legal, sustainable production. government for achieving the climate goals in 2020, there are also incentives which encourage Against this backdrop questions about material the increased and more efficient utilisation of tim- efficiency and cycle management take on increa- ber. New, energy-efficient buildings of the future, sing importance. The timber and paper industry refurbished old buildings with high-tech heat insu- has demonstrated how economic advantages can lation and modern wood heating systems with far be combined with ecological ones. The quotas for lower fuel consumption tend to have a dampening paper recycling that climbed from 60 % to more effect on the demand for energy timber. than 70 % between 2000 and 2009 are an impres- sive example. This applies equally to the material usage of industrial wood residues and old stand in timber-based material and pulp technologies and the increased use of wood residues for heat and energy generation in timber companies' own production cycles. Short-rotation plantations outside forest land also help to cover the demand for this raw material. In Germany the current scale of plantations of roughly 3,000 hectares is still low. Compared with intensive farming and alternative energy plants, short-rotation plantations can demonstrate positive ecological effects on nutrient balance, humus for- mation and biodiversity in the context of landscape ecology and site-adapted species selection. Possible solutions: 4 The timber harvest is auctioned up to the Future challenge: maximum average annual growth (the basis is the baseline scenario of the federal govern- An evaluation of the available expert scenarios ment for the climate negotiations / around shows that the demand for wood resources is on the 100 million m3 per year). Forests are to be rise in Germany. The option of sustainably covering preserved as a CO2 sink. the forecast demand for raw wood from the world market seems to be uncertain in today's climate. 4 The first step towards tackling dwindling China has now overtaken Japan as the world's lar- resources is, therefore, more efficient, i.e. gest timber importer. Large production countries material-saving use. The essential pre-requi- like Russia seek to process more of their timber site for increasing resource efficiency is the reserves themselves and, therefore, impose export avoidance of waste and the return of recycla- duties. All the same, the situation has become more ble materials from waste to the economic relaxed in the course of the current WTO negotiati- cycle. In principle, the sensible cascaded use ons. The analysis of the economic conditions regar- of scarce resources in the timber and paper ding raw timber imports does, however, reveal that industry should be increased further. Here, the transshipment and transport costs can lead to a there are additional reserves which can be major increase in the price of the raw materials. tapped with the help of research. Besides weighing up environmental impact aspects 15 4 Another approach to increasing resource planting potential on suitable agricultural efficiency is the improvement of the material land and other areas because of the, in some and energy utilisation of the raw material cases, favourable natural production conditi- timber through conversion techniques and ons to be found there. Furthermore, the yield lowering specific consumption, for instance potential can be increased in the long term through all-round building refurbishments through selection and breeding. The funding and the use of efficient small-firing installati- conditions should be examined. ons and thermal power stations. 4 The increased use of landscape management 4 A further approach to the sustainable and effi- timber can also help to widen the wood cient energy use of the non-renewable resource balance. According to the wood resource, biomass, is continued support for resource balance, at the present time around the use of biomass in cogeneration plants. In 5 million cubic metres of timber from land- the case of high levels of utilisation, this is the scape management are used in smaller bio- most efficient use as, in this case, optimum mass thermal power stations. This corresponds fuel exploitation and greenhouse gas savings to only 20 % of the estimated potential of are possible in conjunction with the supply of landscape management timber. heat and power. 4 The existing forestry certification systems, 4 Given the ongoing competition between PEFC and FSC, are in principle suitable for the material usage and energy generation, certification of solid biomass. support policy disincentives are, in principle, to be avoided. 4 A detailed database is needed to ensure market transparency and as a decision-making 4 The location of short-rotation plantations aid for entrepreneurial and political decisions. outside forests can lead relatively quickly The forestry and timber industry is called on (from 3 to 10 years) to a flanking contribution to ensure sustainable market reporting. The to improving timber supply particularly for federal forest inventories and forest resources energy use. Short-rotation plantations possess assessments should, in future, be conducted 16 by the federal govern- consumers when pur- ment and Länder as well. chasing timber pro- Following the submis- ducts. The procurement sion of the results of rules of the federal the next Federal Forest government for timber Inventory (BWI 3), products are exemplary a detailed forest resour- and should be taken ces assessment will be over into the public undertaken for administration of the Germany. Länder, local authorities and private industry. 4 The framework conditi- ons for the cluster 4 The existing, sustaina- “forestry and timber” bly available raw mate- should be improved, rial potential should be regional and supraregio- exploited to a greater nal cooperation should degree and tailored to be extended and the market needs. In this competitiveness of the context the existing forestry and timber instruments for raw industry should be timber mobilisation strengthened. should be developed further and used more 4 The certification of tim- effectively. They include ber and timber products forestry associations, from sustainable consulting and support forestry in line with strict ecological stan- for forest owners – in dards (e. g. PEFC, FSC) should be upgraded particular small private forest owners, forest con- into a decision-making criterion for final solidation and forest leasing models. 17

3.4 Biodiversity and forest They enlarge biodiversity and have considerable conservation nature conservation potential. For the landscape, forest, the latest indicator report Initial situation of the federal government on the National Biodi- versity Strategy (November 2010) in forestry con- Without human intervention Germany would be firms good ratings for the indicator “biodiversity mainly covered with forests. Particularly during the and landscape quality” (in relation to specific bird period from the Middle Ages up to the 19 th century species). According to this, modern forest manage- extensive felling and over-exploitation reduced the ment promotes and improves the status of biodiver- forest area, led to the deterioration of existing sity. Indigenous forests have the best partial indica- forest stands and markedly changed species tor value of all land uses (81 % of the maximum composition. It was only thanks to the introduction achievable value). The promotion of close to nature of sustainable forestry around 300 years ago and forest management by the federal government and the dedication of many generations of foresters and the Länder and the high degree of responsibility committed forest owners that the forest area could shown by forest owners have led to clear successes. once again grow and that the diverse forest Far fewer species have disappeared from forests ecosystems could develop that we have today. than from other biotopes. 47 out of 1,213 forest In this way some of the original biodiversity in plants (4 %) compared with 438 out of 3,001 Germany could be maintained. (14.6 %) for all vascular plants were listed in the hazard categories 0 -2 of the Federal Agency for Sustainable forestry is very close to nature in com- Nature Conservation (BfN). This positive trend must parison to other forms of land use. High nature be continued in order to achieve the goals by 2015. conservation standards for forestry are anchored in On the other hand the Red Lists in Germany indi- the Federal Forest Conservation Act and Federal cate a few species of animals and plants that are Nature Conservation Act and the corresponding deemed to be endangered and threatened with laws of the Länder. When it comes to forest extinction. This applies in particular to species that management, stiff requirements are imposed today are dependent on old forests, undisrupted forest on the protection and the preservation of nature development and old stand and deadwood compo- and the environment. In Germany's forests as a rule nents. The share of deadwood component, an indi- measures for the preservation and the protection cator for the nature conservation quality of forests, of biodiversity are integrated into use. This means that, in principle, no distinction is made between commercial forests and conservation forests. This is one of the main components of modern multifunctional forestry. Forest conservation will conti- nue to be an integral part of modern forestry in the future, too. The forms of historical forest use are a special feature (e. g. composite forest, coppice forest and woodland pasture). Depen- ding on how they were mana- ged, special habitats for animal and plant species were created. 18 has climbed by 19 % in the last 6 years to 14.7 m3/ constraints, for example in landscape conservation hectare4. The reasons for this major increase are areas, nature conservation goals in other areas natural disasters and deadwood programmes in have priority or are – in the case of core areas in the Länder. national parks and biosphere reserves – oriented towards nature conservation in particular. Depen- When it comes to the certification of sustainable ding on the conservation goal there may be more forestry, Germany tops the league around the or fewer management constraints. world and in Europe. Most German forest managers voluntarily comply with the requirements of Furthermore, in recent years a total of approxima- private certification systems that go beyond statu- tely 100,000 hectares of government-owned areas tory rules. Up to now, more than 70 % of German have been handed over to Länder and to nature forests have been certified PEFC or FSC. The forest conservation associations and foundations as Natio- nature conservation measures of the Länder e.g. nal Natural Heritage. A further 25,000 hectares are to maintain rare types of trees and biotopes, dead- to follow suit. Two-thirds of the natural heritage wood concepts and the implementation of close areas are forests. According to estimates approxi- to nature forest management concepts, have led mately 2 % of the forest area is no longer managed to the emergence of valuable forest biotopes. (for instance core areas of national parks and biosphere reserves, natural forest areas, areas According to current estimates around two-thirds owned by nature conservation associations and of German forest area are listed in at least one authorities as well as permanently non-used areas). protected area category according to the Federal Exact details about this are currently being put Natural Conservation Act, the Land Forest Act, the together in a research project of the Federal European FFH directive and the Bird Protection Ministry of the Environment. Directive (Natura 2000). Most of them are land- scape conservation areas. Their main purpose is to In German forestry there are many synergies with protect the landscape and preserve biodiversity. nature conservation particularly when the In nature parks they are also used for recreation principles of close to nature forest management and sustainable regional development. Whereas are upheld in the maintenance and development forest management is scarcely subject to any of forests as a habitat for animals and plants. Moreover, forest owners and foresters see themsel- ves as nature conservationists in forests. On the regional level they cooperate successfully in many 4 Deadwood with a diameter of more than 10 cm areas with nature conservation institutions. 19 Future challenge: The federal government adopted a series of measu- res to conserve and protect natural habitats in 2007 in its National Biodiversity Strategy. Goals were also formulated for forests that link the protection and maintenance of biodiversity with sustainable forest use. The principle of integrative, sustainable and multi- functional forest management applied in Germany is recognised and respected on the international level. Segregating approaches or methods are vie- wed critically by forest management from the angle of the overall goal of the sustainable develop- ment of society and the existing potential of indigenous forests whereas nature conservation representatives believe that additional use-free areas are needed to preserve the ecosystem services. Nature provides mankind with a number of goods and services that constitute the foundations of human well-being. Intact soil, food, drinking water, fuels and medicinal products, protection from flooding and soil erosion as well as climate regulation or carbon storage are “ecosystem services”. They are provided to us free of charge by nature but they are not always immediately The federal obvious. Many services provided by nature have government either not been included at all up to now in con- provides annual ventional environmental impact assessments or backing for the are taken for granted. Around the globe this means implementation that valuable natural capital is neglected or of the National destroyed. The services provided by ecosystems and Biodiversity biodiversity are, however, of major economic value. Strategy (NBS) The study “The Economics of Ecosystems and amounting to Biodiversity” (TEEB) of the United Nations Environ- € 15 million ment Programme (UNEP) outline ways of assessing through its Fede- the services of important ecosystems and shows ral Programme how the costs and benefits of maintaining or Biodiversity. The re-establishing nature and its services can be com- federal pro- prehensively taken into account in decision-making gramme supports processes. In future, the assessment of forest projects which are of nationwide importance within ecosystem services is also to be integrated into the the framework of the NBS or which implement this decision-making processes. strategy in a particularly exemplary and standard- setting manner. The supported measures aim to halt the decline in biodiversity in Germany and to reverse this trend in the medium and long-term. 20 Possible solutions: 4 The federal government will examine and step up support for close to nature forest manage- 4 The friction between the use of biological ment. The goal is to offer a concrete support resources and maintaining biodiversity should catalogue with attractive conditions for be defused and dealt with. “environmental forest measures” throughout Germany. 4 The high level of biodiversity in forests today is nurtured. Biodiversity in forests should be 4 The ecological services of forestry, which go further improved in line with the goals of the beyond sustainable, regular forest manage- National Biodiversity (NBS), e. g. through ment should be adequately compensated. non-managed areas, an increase in the propor- tion of deadwood, a rise in the number of 4 The ecosystem services in forestry (services of natural forest patches along with the imple- the forest ecosystems) should be taken into mentation and linking up of the Natura 2000 account as eligibility criteria for support in areas. Publicly owned forests, in particular the 2nd Pillar of the Common Agricultural state-owned forests, serve as a model here. Policy after 2013. Any overlapping (e. g. with the Federal Biodiversity Programme) is to be 4 In order to clarify the status quo regarding the avoided. proportion of non-managed forest areas, the Federal Environmental Ministry has commis- 4 The evaluative approaches in the TEEB Study sioned a research project through the Federal should be carried over to the ecosystem ser- Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). The vices of indigenous forests and biodiversity results will help to identify the need for action and their value should be quantified. by political circles. The federal government The values obtained for the ecosystem will submit an interim report on the project services of forests should be incorporated into status. decision-making processes. 4 Additional constraints on forestry should be 4 The proportion of high-grade ecological stan- carefully weighed up on the national and EU dards of certified forest areas (PEFC, FSC) levels when it comes to the achievable sustai- should continue to grow up to 2020. Consu- nable benefits taking into account ecological, mers should be encouraged to take more note economic, social, and climate-relevant of certificates for sustainable forest manage- aspects. ment of this kind when out shopping. The fede- ral administrative authorities already only pro- 4 Measures to secure natural forest areas within cure wood from sustainable forest manage- the framework of NBS are implemented in ment. PEFC, FSC and comparable certification private woods by means of voluntary agree- standards are sufficient proof in this context. ments with the stakeholders and are Länder, local authorities and business are financially compensated. called on to adopt the procurement rules of the federal government for wood products in their 4 Additional findings about the contexts and areas of responsibility, too, and to seek greater effects of forest management and nature acceptance amongst consumers for this. conservation should be evaluated and gaps in knowledge filled through suitable research 4 Forestry, particularly in state and municipal projects. The results should be carried over forest holdings, should assume an active role into the formulation of goals for integrative when it comes to safeguarding European nature conservation concepts within the natural heritage particularly within the framework of sustainable forestry. framework of Natura 2000. 21

3.5 Silviculture per hectare and year despite a few dry periods (e.g. 2003). Timber reserves have once again Initial situation: increased by 2 %. With 330 solid volume over bark per hectare, Germany has more timber in forests Germany is densely populated but it is, nonethe- than almost any other European country. The ave- less, one of the Member States of the European rage age of forests during this period has increased Union with the most forests. Woodland accounts by four years. It is now 77 years. 11 % of the forest for 31 % of its total surface. Over the last four stands are under 20, 50 % aged between 21 and 80 decades it has increased by around one million and 34 % between 81 and 169 years of age. Forests hectares. Overall, the natural growth conditions for with trees older than 180 years of age are rare, forests in Germany are extremely favourable. approximately 2 % of forest area. Approximately Sufficient precipitation, good soil and moderate 80 % of young stands come from natural forest temperatures permit consistently high growth rates regeneration. Only 17 % have been planted. and largely stable stocks. The broad range of Overall, sprouting and coppice do not play a species of trees in indigenous forests, approxima- significant role. tely seventy different species of tree and shrub, reflects the broad spectrum of different forest The overall balance (2002 up to 2008) of timber locations. stocks, timber increments and cutting show that 10 % more timber has grown than was felled, i.e. For around three decades forestry has increasingly 90 % of timber increments are used. The share geared its activities towards the principles of close of non-coniferous trees has risen by 2 % in to nature forest management. One core element state-owned, cooperative and private forests. here is the shift of monocultures, which were intro- duced on a large scale after World War II, towards Spruces (28 %) and pine trees (23 %) are the most more site-adapted mixed stands that can adapt to frequent species of trees. Single-storied forests climate change. Germany now has a considerable account for almost half (46 %) of the woodland share of non-coniferous and mixed forests (39 %). area. 45 % are two-storied and 9 % are multi- The share of conifers in the old stands is still storied. around 62 % compared with only 29 % in young stands. Future challenge: Between the Forest Inventories I (1987) and II (2002), timber stocks increased by around 7 million Forests and forestry are exposed to climate cubic metres from 2.7 to 3.4 billion cubic metres. change; on the other hand they make an active Between 2002 and 2008 growth (11.1 m3 solid contribution to climate protection. Some of the volume over bark per hectare and year) exceeded pure spruce forests which are still to be found the estimates in the forest development and timber today on around 10 % of woodland area will volume models of 10.3 m3 solid volume over bark probably not withstand climate change. Forests 22 can adapt to climate change by means of the suitable selection of trees and origins with the 4 Wherever possible the forest area should be required climatic variability. Additional amounts increased and the land consumption for of timber can be placed for the time being on the settlement and infrastructure measures market by means of the timely transformation of should be reduced. Within the framework of forests into mixed, multi-storied, site-adapted and, regional possibilities, new forest sites, if possible, close to nature forms of stands with offering particularly advantageous climate mainly indigenous species of trees. benefits and positive effects on nature and the landscape, should be planted. The course charted in forest management in recent decades has been towards extensification, 4 By means of an close to nature and environmen- increasing stocks, extending the share of decidu- tally compatible increase in forest productivity, ous trees, natural regeneration and stiffer protec- the tapping of additional land potential and the tive requirements. Compared with the large-scale sustainable use of large timber reserves, parti- pure conifer stands, the growing proportion of cularly in small private forests, a major contribu- mixed forests mitigates the existing risks of tion can be made to increasing the stability and climate and weather-driven change. One conse- vitality of forests and securing the future timber quence is that the volume and types of coniferous supply. The following approaches are suitable wood needed by the timber industry will no ways of achieving this: longer be available in future on the same scale. – Creation of diverse, stable and high yield Given the expected increase in demand for wood mixed forests for recycling and biomass for energy generation, this raises the question about securing the supply – Risk reduction by avoiding unstable density of raw materials for the indigenous timber and or excessive stocks as a consequence of paper industry. consistent forest tending (cleaning, thinning) – Planting of site-adapted species of trees with a high level of resistance and growth rate – Forest planting concepts and production Possible solutions: periods which lead to optimum yields in harmony with nature conservation and 4 The forest area in Germany should be maintai- environmental protection requirements ned and the stability, diversity and orientation – Use of high quality, site-adapted, resistant by nature of forests should be increased. and high yield forest plants The planting of site-adapted and mainly indigenous species of trees makes an – Maintaining the genetic diversity of forest important contribution to this. lants. 23 protect the game's natural environment. Roe deer, 4 The provisions in the Federal Forest Act are a red deer and wild boar are the most frequent suitable framework to further extend short- species of hoofed game to be found in German rotation plantations to areas outside wood- forests. The hunting bag for these species of land and, in this way, to make a flanking animals has increased considerably over the last contribution to raw material supply. No new forty years. The roe deer bag in Germany has rapid-growth plantations will be sown in almost doubled and in the hunting season forests. 2009/2010 it amounted to more than one million. The red deer bag has risen by 50 % (67,000). 4 Within the framework of forest management Fallow deer and wild boar bags have even measures, more use should be made of the multiplied five-fold. short-lived options of planting nurse crops e.g. after windthrow, transformations, advanced-planting, targeted forest renewal Future challenge: and the concerted periodic use of skid roads for the production of energy timber. The increase in hunting bags confirms the growing intensity of hunting but also documents a major 4 Together with the Länder the federal govern- growth in the hoofed game population. The rea- ment will examine the support conditions and sons for the large game populations are diverse. adapt them in order to contribute more to the Besides a changing grazing offering (increase in above solutions. natural regeneration areas, more mast years, rise in maize cultivation), mild winters also lead to higher reproduction rates. At the same time, habitat frag- mentation and growing uneasiness amongst game can lead to impairments of their natural activity

3.6 Hunting patterns and render hunting more difficult. The complaints by forest owners about growing damage Initial situation: from game have increased markedly. Forests and game belong together. The forest is a habitat for many species of animals including hun- table ones. Hunting specifically serves the purposes of sustainable forestry. The Federal Hunting Act stipulates that hunting must maintain a healthy, diverse game population that is adapted to the cultural conditions, and that it should nurture and The hoofed game species are herbivores and they also eat parts of forest trees. With the exception of wild boar, they can also cause extensive damage in forests. 19 % of the growing trees without any 24 interests are often triggered by inadequate law enforcement. The Federal Hunting Act sets out a clear legal framework for achieving the social goals in respect of forest and game. Game is to be protec- ted whereby protection must be carried out in such a way that any impairment of proper agricultural, forestry and fishery use, in particular wild game damage, can if possible be avoided. On the regio- nal level there is a major deficit between the statutory remit and its practical fulfilment. Possible solutions: 4 Hunting specifically helps sustainable forestry. Adapted hunting methods safeguard the protection show evidence of browsing or debar- conservation of forests and promote the king. Spruce and pine trees present above-average natural regeneration of forest ecosystems levels of debarking damage, followed by Douglas with a diverse structure. firs. In Germany 2.6 % (0.3 million hectares) of forests have been fenced in to protect them from 4 The game populations are to be regulated in debarking damage by game. The sought-after such a way that the natural regeneration of all mixed forests that are adaptable to climate change, the main species of trees is possible without high yielding and economically viable can only fencing. The quota plans for number of succeed without additional investment in preven- hoofed game killed are to be adapted to tion against damage by game if there are regio- regional/local specificities. nally adapted hoofed game populations. The basis for adjusted hoofed game populations are the 4 Hunting is a highly emotional subject. One- silvicultural, agricultural, wildlife biological and sided, blanket demands can further increase landscape ecological requirements. The conflicts the tension and do not help to solve the between agricultural, forestry and hunting problem. Solutions can only be worked out in an ongoing discussion process in which all the stakeholders are involved. Together with the forest owners, farmers, hunters, sport, leisure and environmental associations, concrete measures and model projects should be developed for conflict minimisation on the regional level and, on this basis, a model elaborated for hunting in forests. 4 Landowners and hunters should become involved to a greater degree in local bodies and exercise their rights. The problems can only be solved on the regional level in a dialogue with political circles, public admini- stration, owners and interest groups. Informa- tion and continuing training offers on avoi- ding damage from game and on the legal 25

3.7 Protection of soil and water framework should be extended to landowners management and hunting syndicate members. Furthermore, measures that improve habitats like the restructuring of forest stands (mixed forests), Initial situation: resting zones for game (red game) and visitor flow management are suitable ways of achie- In the forest ecosystem soil plays a key role as a ving a balance between forests and game. supplier of nutrients and water for trees. A multitude of soil organisms contribute to forest 4 The requirements and conception of game- biodiversity. The humus in our forest floor contains friendly and forest-friendly wild game considerable amounts of carbon and has a major management should be discussed more by potential for carbon sequestration from the the public at large with all stakeholders. At atmosphere that has been largely ignored up the same time, they should be further to now. developed as an essential component of hunting training schemes. The local hunting When it comes to water management, forest and organisations should do more to provide the forest soil ensure an even run-off rate, reduce peak public at large as well with reliable flood levels and protect against erosion. They act as information and findings. an important filter for drinking water. Pollutants are filtered out. The leachate under forests is nor- 4 The effectiveness and efficiency of hunting mally of good quality and is, therefore, particularly should be further increased with considera- important for drinking water use. In forest manage- tion given to the owners' interests. ment in Germany protection of forest soil is impor- tant as a central means of production in order to maintain the vitality, productivity and stability of 26 forests and avoid damage to the soil. Soil damage an acidifying and a fertilising effect. This “overfertili- caused by impairment of soil structure e.g. through sation” (eutrophication) of forest ecosystems leads to excessive contamination with pollutant inputs or a change in the plant communities and a reduction compaction, may also have negative effects on in the number of species. Nitrogen inputs not only leachate quality, quantity and erosivity with impose a burden on forest ecosystems but also knock-on adverse effects on society, the user of jeopardise the quality of ground water. water resources. The sulphur input rates in forests have fallen conside- Future challenge: rably since the 1980s, nitrogen compounds to a lesser degree. Nevertheless, deposits in almost all measu- The forest soil and its productive capacity are at ring areas in forests exceed the critical loads for risk in Germany, especially from atmospheric acid, nitrogen and acid inputs at which harmful changes nitrogen and pollutant inputs. Over a period of in the ecosystem are to be feared. This brings with it several years inputs lead almost imperceptibly to a risk of acidification of the soil and a loss of its filter sweeping changes to forest soil. Many forest ecosy- capacity. Enduringly high nitrogen inputs have both stems have reached the limits of their resilience. 27 At locations with a low nutrient level, the increased use of full-tree harvesting (timber, 4 Specialised machinery, which makes sense for bark and crown) for the production of bioenergy ergonomic, health, work and economic can lead, in the long term, to the removal of more reasons, must be used in such a way that it nutrient elements and, by extension, to depletion protects forests, soil and the environment. of the soil. In order to meet these requirements, the use of trained, qualified staff is essential. The More intensive forest traffic in woodland areas federal government and Länder will support during timber harvesting calls for innovative work, the competent technical institutions when it technological and logistic concepts. comes to the testing of new technologies and methods and the drawing up of recommendations. 4 If, for soil protection and nature conservation Possible solutions: reasons, greater care must be taken during timber harvesting then particularly low- 4 The emission of air pollutants is to be reduced impact methods are to be used and promoted further. The critical loads and levels for (e.g. use of cable cranes and skidding horses). acidifying and eutrophying air pollutants, heavy metals and ozone are to be complied 4 Any further opening up of protected areas, with by 2020. The high nitrogen inputs are a particularly in Natura 2000 areas, should only continued source of dissatisfaction. The main be undertaken if no protection goals are sources of nitrogen contamination are considerably impaired or destroyed. ammonia from animal husbandry and fertilisa- tion as well as nitrogen oxides mainly from 4 In the case of full-tree harvesting, account traffic as well as from the energy sector and must be taken of the requirements of soil household fires. The corresponding provisions protection and nature conservation. As little should be consistently applied and, if use as possible should be made of the clearing necessary, refined. of root stocks. 4 Support for compensatory measures for 4 Uniform recommendations for the priority acidifying inputs like forest liming is mapping of locations with a sufficient maintained. nutrient supply and a stable soil structure should be developed for the additional, 4 The admixture of wood ash may not lead sustainable use of energy timber assortments to pollutant accumulation in forest soil. from forests. Nor should any fertilisers be used in future to increase yield. 4 In order to further reduce soil and vegetation damage, more initial and further training 4 The federal government is against a European courses should be staged on state-of-the-art, framework soil directive. innovative timber harvesting techniques and effective forest inventory methods. 4 Given the importance of soil as a valuable pro- duction capital, clear cutting should be avoi- 4 Ways of improving the remuneration of ded within the framework of the Land forest forestry services for water supply are currently laws. being examined. 28

3.8 Recreation, health and tourism Initial situation: The close links between the population in Germany and forests enjoy a long tradition. Germany has approximately 230 inhabitants/km2; this makes it Future challenge: one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Forests play an important role especially in Leisure activities in forests and nature experiences conurbations and peripheral conurbations for the are a good way of raising awareness amongst the mental and physical regeneration of the people population at large about nature and also about living there. They are extensively used for recrea- the need for sustainable forest use. tion, leisure and sport. Around two-thirds of the population visit a forest at least once a year. In Major leisure and recreation pressure on forests principle, entering forests for the purposes of and inappropriate behaviour can, however, also recreation is permitted in Germany. There are only impair the forest ecosystem, game, forestry and constraints in individual cases like, for instance, forest ownership. When there are high numbers of forest harvesting, hunting, forest renewal and in visitors, the inappropriate, unregulated pursuit of protected areas (e.g. in the core areas of national leisure activities can place an increased burden on parks and biosphere reserves). Most of the visitors forests. At “hotspots” this can result in damage to behave in a responsible manner in forests and the soil, the vegetation and the animal world as respect the need to protect flora and fauna as well well as to an impairment of forest management. as the necessary constraints imposed by forestry Damage to vegetation, for example from browsing and hunting. and debarking, caused by disrupting game is 29 particularly problematic. Elevated risks as a 3.9 Education, public relations and consequence of intensive leisure activities may also research mean that resources have to be invested in ensuring traffic safety. Initial situation: In Germany foresters receive a high standard of training at four universities and 5 polytechnics to Possible solutions: equip them for the complex tasks and require- ments of sustainable forestry. Skilled workers and 4 The tried-and-tested instrument of visitor master craftsmen undergo comprehensive training flow management is to be used extensively in the practical side of their work in the dual in highly frequented and ecologically education system. Some additional courses are sensitive areas and refined in order to recon- available to cater for more specialised tasks. At the cile, to a greater degree, the needs of nature universities and numerous other research institutes conservation and landscape protection, of the federal government and the Länder, the forest visitors, forest owners and forestry. links between forests, the environment and society Ensuring nature-compatible recreation are studied and possible solutions to concrete within the framework of the right of free problems elaborated. The forestry administrations access continues to have priority over of the Länder and their Land enterprises promote specific recreation concepts (forest rallies, and support private forest owners and their fitness trails etc). As far as possible associations by offering consulting activities to individual and non-profit recreation and assuming management duties for them. activities are to remain free of charge. Within the framework of its research departments, 4 Special recreational offers, in particular BMELV provides annual funding amounting to professionally organised events, are in € 8 million for forestry and timber research in principle to be remunerated financially by Hamburg and Eberswalde. The Agency for the user as well. The federal government Renewable Resources (FNR) in Güstrow financed and Länder are to elaborate recommen- timber recycling under its support area “timber/ dations for the nature-compatible leisure use lignocellulose” to the tune of € 3.3 million of forests together with the representatives in 2010. of forest owners, forestry, local authorities and the associations concerned (for instance, the German Olympic Sports Confederation [DOSB] / Sport and Nature Committee). 4 New tourism, environmental education and leisure schemes are to be supported in consultation with forest owners. 4 Suitable offerings are to be developed to provide information and raise awareness amongst forest visitors about the nature they experience and the mode of action and contribution of sustainable forestry. This is a good opportunity for close cooperation between the relevant associations. 30 The consequences of the growing alienation in particular amongst the owners of small wood plots must be countered by targeted consulting and information offerings. The structural developments in the Land forest administrations have, in some cases, led to reductions in the consulting services for small private forest owners. This can have a negative impact especially on the necessary timber mobilisation and environmental education on site. Improving the decision-making foundations for political circles is an ongoing task. Particularly in the case of environmental forest monitoring (crown condition assessment, Federal Forest Inventory, forest meteorological stations, forest soil inventory and permanent observation plots), there is a major need for accompanying research. Knowledge about the impact of climate change on forests and the links between forest management and biodiversity must be improved and any existing gaps filled. Possible solutions: 4 Forest-related education in sustainable The majority of the population in Germany now development is very well suited to counter- lives in towns. Hence, they are increasingly losing acting the growing alienation of people touch with rural areas and knowledge about the not only from forests but from their natural need for and the workings of the sustainable use of environment in general. It should, therefore, land and nature. This also applies in particular to attributed greater importance. The responsi- forests, forest conservation and an understanding ble, longer-term handling of resources, the of forestry and the services it renders to society. principle of sustainability, can be illustrated very well using the example of forest Furthermore, fewer and fewer people work in or management. Forest administrations and with forests. This means that knowledge about the associations continue to show a commitment importance, the need for and the methods of forest to environmental forest education and management along with the contribution of consumer education. Training and informa- sustainable forestry is dwindling. tion offerings should be posted as comprehensively as possible on the website Future challenge: www.treffpunktwald.de and include and involve all types of forest ownership. One of the most important pre-conditions for forests being able to fully carry out the social tasks 4 BMELV is examining the setting up of an expected of them is acceptance of sustainable advisory council for sustainable forestry forestry by the population at large. The importance education and consumer education. Forest- of the sustainable use of forests as well as the social related education work, which draws on the and economic importance of forests and forestry concept of education in sustainable develop- must be highlighted more from the angle of jobs, ment, is to be supported and promoted in value added, nature conservation and climate cooperation with all kinds of forest owners. protection. 31 4 The federal government will assign greater 4 The education and further training of importance in departmental forest research private small forest owners and the taking to the following areas: over of the findings of relevant research and development products into everyday – Impact of climate change on forests and practice should be extended further ways of increasing the climate protection (see 3.2). performance of forests and timber; 4 Qualified workers are needed to continue – Impact of climate change on the multi-functional forest management. They biodiversity of forest ecosystems; should be trained in economics, technology and also in the basics of the natural – Environmental forest monitoring and sciences. They should master the methods biodiversity monitoring in forests; and instruments of sustainable management taking into account the diverse range of – Development of more effective services of general interest rendered by approaches to the preservation and forests. Lastly they should implement the sustainable use of biodiversity in mana- latest findings from research and develop- ged forests, clarification of the links ment in practice. between biodiversity and the economic and ecological functions of forests; 4 The United Nations have declared 2011 to be the International Year of Forests. BMELV uses – Ongoing scientific estimates of future this opportunity for a comprehensive timber needs and ways of sustainably information and awareness-raising campaign securing supply including suitable on the subject of forests. The federal biomass potential outside forests; government has its own series of activities and provides funding amounting to – Development of innovative timber € 2.5 million for the umbrella campaign products and more efficient production “Forest Cultural Heritage”. Within this methods, particularly through the framework all the concerned associations cascaded utilisation of timber. and organisations promote forests and their diverse functions and have an opportunity to 4 Important research activities are carried out network and publish their activities and coordinated in the departmental (www.wald2011.de). In addition, a target research of the federal government and group-oriented information medium Länder. This network must be further exten- (“Forest Guide”) is published. In a suitable ded and cooperation with other European form it aims to encourage greater organisations must be stepped up through understanding and sense of responsibility existing ERA-NET schemes. The research when people visit forests. opportunities offered by the 7th and the planned 8th EU Framework Programme on Research are to be intensified. 32 33 NOTICE: 34 Editor Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, BMELV) 53123 Bonn Germany Text Referat 533 Status November 2011 Design BMELV Printed by BMELV Photos aid - Peter Meyer, FNR e.V., E. Grüneberg vTI-WOI, BMELV / Walkscreen Teilnehmer des Fotowettbewerbs "Ohne ihn ..." im Internationalen Jahr der Wälder 2011: Walter J. Pilsak, Tamas Kapas, Evelyn K., Margarete Weinert, Hans-Günter Wiemer, Wilfried Vogel, Thomas Meyer-Boudnik, Rudolf Rinner, Ross Wahl, foto-fan, Horst Hormann, A. Müller, Ursula Hauschild, H. D. Volz, Hans-Wolfgang Wetzel, Naturfreund, Anja Hörig, Linda Rask, D. Rombach Additional information is available on the BMELV website at: www.bmelv.de / www.waldkulturerbe.de This brochure is published as part of the information and public relations activities of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. It is free of charge. It may not be used by political parties, electioneers or elec- toral assistants for electioneering purposes during an election campaign. This applies to European, general, regional and local elections. In particular, distributing this brochure at campaign events or at information stands of political parties, and inserting, imprinting or affixing information or advertising regarding political parties is prohibited. It is also prohibited to pass this brochure on to third parties for electioneering purposes. Irrespective of how, when an what quantities it has been obtained and regardless of whether an election is pending, it is also prohibited to use this brochure in an way which could be interpreted as the Federal Government acting in support of individual political groupings.