Overview

• The fourth Bundeswaldinventur shows a loss of 41.5 million tons of carbon storage in German forests since 2017.
• Heatwaves, droughts, and pest infestations have severely impacted tree growth and survival, particularly affecting spruce trees.
• The shift from carbon storage to emission in forests poses a challenge to Germany's commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 65% by 2030.
• In North Rhine-Westphalia, the forest composition is shifting towards more diverse and climate-resilient species, with an increase in deciduous trees.
• Experts emphasize the need for adaptive forest management and reforestation with species better suited to changing climate conditions.