Nature conservation foundation sees valuable biotopes in the Groß-Gerau district threatened by climate change
The persistent heat and lack of rain are increasingly taking their toll on the orchards in the Groß-Gerau district. The Groß-Gerau District Nature Foundation is warning of this. Young plantings in particular, but also older fruit trees, are showing significant damage. According to the foundation, the consequences of climate change are making it increasingly difficult to preserve these ecologically valuable habitats.
The Nature Foundation manages around 30 areas throughout the district, totaling almost ten hectares. These include orchards, hedgerows, Benjes hedges, field copses, and wildflower meadows, which serve as habitats for numerous animal and plant species.
“We are finding that our orchards are under enormous pressure due to increasing weather extremes. High temperatures, long periods of drought and lack of rainfall are weakening the trees in the long term,” explains Reinhard Ebert, chairman of the Groß-Gerau district nature conservation foundation.
According to the foundation, older orchards in particular are becoming increasingly sparse. However, widespread irrigation is out of the question, as it would place an additional burden on the already strained groundwater supply.
To preserve the areas in the long term, the Nature Foundation is relying on replacement plantings and intensive maintenance measures. Attempts to establish more resilient tree species such as sweet chestnuts have also not yet yielded the hoped-for success.
The extent of the challenges is illustrated by an example from Erfelden. There, a new orchard was planted in 2018 with various traditional fruit varieties such as the Rheinischer Bohnapfel, Kaiser Wilhelm, Champagnerrenette, Hauszwetschge, Hedelfinger Riesenkirsche, and the Köstliche Birne aus Charneux. According to the foundation, replanting has been necessary every year since then. This year alone, four of the original 20 fruit trees have already died, and the remaining trees are also showing significant declines in vitality.
“We will continue our efforts to protect these valuable biotopes and adapt them to the changing conditions,” emphasizes Baldur Schmitt, deputy chairman of the Nature Foundation. Harald Benz, responsible for the foundation's public relations, has documented the effects of the drought photographically.
(GROSS-GERAU – RED/NH)
Featured image: Harald Benz
