Young Kiel researchers receive millions in funding for forest climate adaptation!

Young Kiel researchers receive millions in funding for forest climate adaptation!

The challenges of climate change not only pose immense problems for people, but also for Europe's forests. The situation in Germany is worrying: it is estimated that 30-40% of trees are damaged. This not only has health consequences for our forests, but also causes billions of dollars in annual economic losses. A pioneering approach to combating this crisis comes from Dr. Farooq Ahmad, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Phytopathology at the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel (CAU), who is now receiving 2.25 million euros in funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

The focus of his research is on developing adaptation strategies for forests to climate change. Through the concept of assisted tree migration, Ahmad wants to find out how tree species from warmer climates can migrate to northern Germany to survive future conditions. This is particularly important because many native tree species such as oak, spruce and beech are suffering from the changed climatic conditions and are becoming increasingly susceptible to disease.

The path to climate-resilient forests

The measures that are urgently needed to save the forests seem diverse. According to experts' findings, it is recommended to replace more common tree species with climate-resilient alternatives. Conifers, which traditionally dominate, could be replaced by deciduous trees to preserve forests as carbon sinks. Ahmad plans to test various oak species from southern Germany and Spain for their migration potential in order to also research the genetic basis of climate adaptation.

The need to do something is also underpinned by current weather events. In the drought summer of 2018, for example, temperatures rose above 30 degrees while precipitation fell by 25 percent. Such extreme conditions place additional strain on already weakened forests and promote insect infestation, especially bark beetles. According to a study by the Thünen Institute, it is recommended that these insights be incorporated into reforestation in order to stabilize the forest.

Challenges and solutions

However, the transformation of forests is not without challenges. The process of tree species migration is difficult, particularly due to administrative hurdles in obtaining seeds from other regions. In addition, the financial resources for planting are considerable; Estimates speak of up to 25,000 euros per hectare. Ahmad's research will be part of the Kiel Plant Center (KPC), which specializes in studying adaptations of crops to changing environmental conditions and aims to secure the availability of wood for a bio-based economy.

In the future, it will be crucial to promote mixed forests and transform coniferous monocultures into diverse stands. In addition to being less vulnerable to extremes, these mixed forests can store more water, increasing their resilience to droughts. In order to accompany this change, the research work of Ahmad's group and their innovative approaches is essential to prepare the forests in Germany for the coming climate crisis.

The visionary work the CAU is undertaking underscores the importance of taking action now to preserve biodiversity and the future health of our forests. Forest projects that are initiated through innovative research could make a decisive contribution to securing our nature for future generations.

For more information on this topic, read more at GABOT, daily news and Greenpeace.