Slight recovery due to damp weather – High mortality rate in the western forest
As the press office of the City of Darmstadt announced in a press release, the 2024 Forest Condition Report has been published . For the fifth consecutive year, the city has systematically documented the condition of Darmstadt's municipal forest. The results serve as an important basis for the sustainable protection and adaptation of the forest to the effects of climate change.
Results of the investigation: Little all-clear despite a wet year
The forest condition survey focuses on the vitality of the trees, measured by the degree of foliage in their crowns . As Michael Kolmer, , emphasizes, continuous monitoring is crucial for identifying changes early and deriving well-founded measures.
"Besides our actions, climate change is the main factor influencing the future of the forest. The results for the western and eastern forests help us to document long-term developments and take timely countermeasures."
The survey was conducted between mid-July and mid-August 2024 and shows that the city forest continues to suffer significantly from the effects of climate change. Of the 2,368 trees examined , many remain damaged or dead.
However, there is a slight positive development: The wet weather in 2024 to a minor improvement in crown condition . The proportion of healthy and only slightly damaged trees increased, while the proportion of severely damaged trees decreased slightly.
Westwald particularly affected – high mortality rate persists
The situation is particularly serious in the western part of the forest , where the dry, sandy soil has been stressing the trees for years. The mortality rate here remains at 3.4 percent , demonstrating the ongoing dieback of many mature trees .
In contrast, the eastern forest in somewhat better condition. A more favorable water supply has resulted in a slight improvement in the foliage and crown condition. The overall wet weather conditions in 2024 – including a rainy May and above-average rainfall in the summer – have provided the forest with some temporary relief.
However, Kolmer warns against interpreting this as a long-term recovery:
"One wet year alone is no reason to sound the all-clear. Climate change remains an immense challenge for Darmstadt's city forest."
Measures: Increased resilience through natural renewal
The city continues to rely on a more stable microclimate as a key strategy for forest conservation. Dense canopy closure and natural forest edges are crucial for the water balance and resilience of the trees.
Therefore, the Parks Department pursues an ecological approach with targeted measures :
- Leaving damaged trees and standing deadwood to promote biodiversity
- Refraining from harvesting timber in order to stabilize the microclimate and protect the water balance
- Promoting natural forest regeneration to ensure the long-term preservation of the forest stock
According to Kolmer, these measures are already showing positive effects :
"Besides the cooling effect of shading, the remaining biomass serves as a habitat for insects and as a water reservoir . This strengthens biodiversity and makes the forest more resilient."
The complete 2024 forest condition report will now be submitted to the parliamentary bodies and subsequently published city of Darmstadt's website
“We are consistently continuing our work on the guiding principles for the forest, which was recognized with the NABU Forest Medal in 2023. The aim is to support the city forest in such a way that it can regenerate naturally – for future generations,” Kolmer concludes.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
