NRW Forests Transform with Rising Diversity and Leafy Growth

The latest forest inventory reveals a shift towards more diverse and climate-resilient woodlands in North Rhine-Westphalia, driven by climate change impacts.

• North Rhine-Westphalia's forests are becoming more diverse, with a significant increase in deciduous trees, now comprising 65% of the forest area.
• The transformation is partly due to climate change effects such as storms, droughts, and bark beetle infestations, which have reduced traditional coniferous trees like spruce.
• The forest inventory, conducted every ten years, highlights the importance of adapting forests to be climate-resilient, a task described as a generational challenge.
• Despite a 15% reduction in wood stock over the past decade, new, younger forests are emerging where older ones have declined, enhancing biodiversity.
• While NRW's forests continue to grow, they also serve as crucial carbon sinks, aiding in the fight against climate change by sequestering CO2.

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Süddeutsche Zeitung