Forests for People

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German forests – nature and economics

Matthias Schwoerer, European and International Forest Policy,

Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Germany

ermany has about 11 million hectares of forests, cover-

ing one third of the country. The forested area has

increased by approximately 1 million hectares over the

past four decades. Timber stands in Germany account for 320

cubic metres per hectare, with the annual timber increment

totalling around 100 million m³ in accessible forests (approxi-

mately 10 m³ per hectare).

Forests are the result of a long history of human intervention reach-

ing back to the Middle Ages, when large areas of forest land were first

cleared for settlement or used for agricultural purposes. Since then,

forests have been changed and partly degraded by littering, tanning

and intensive use for livestock fodder and as an energy source, and

they were devastated on a large scale during and after the two world

wars. However, some forest areas have been cultivated and protected

for hunting and recreation and new forests have been established.

Without human intervention, beech forests would prevail in

Germany with 74 per cent coverage of the forest area. Over the course

of forest history and especially due to massive reforestation of agri-

cultural or devastated land, the tree species composition

has shifted to a higher percentage of coniferous trees. The

forest stands today are largely the result of the long-term

efforts of German foresters and forest owners to rebuild

high-yield, ecologically valuable forests. In the past few

decades, more importance has been attached to a site-

adapted and more natural tree species composition. While

spruce still accounts for the largest proportion among the

tree species, mixed stands make up 73 per cent of German

forests today. The oldest high-quality production forests

are more than 200 years old.

In 1713, Hans Carl von Carlowitz first came up

with his concept of sustainable forest management,

the spirit of which gave rise to modern forestry in

Germany and established the country’s reputation as

the cradle of sustainability. The concept of sustainable

forest management, which initially focused on timber,

was gradually developed and expanded to encompass

forest services. It is a living concept which has its prin-

ciples but also requires that those responsible listen and

respond to the evolving demands of society, taking new

scientific knowledge into account.

Germans traditionally have a close relationship with

their forests, which are a source of inspiration and the

setting of almost all fairytales. From the myths of the

ancient Germanic tribes through the paintings of the

Romantic artists to the present day, the forests are

inseparably linked with our culture. To understand the

social demands to which forestry has to react, one needs

to be aware that in Germany, anybody can access forests

for recreational purposes at virtually any time and place.

Today, forests play a key role in this densely populated,

industrialised country as places for recreation, tranquil-

ity and the restoration of physical and mental health.

Access is a right to which citizens are entitled, but it

also obliges them to act responsibly. Forest and nature

conservation legislation restricts access to certain areas

and there are bans on smoking and open fires.

Only 30 per cent of forests in Germany are owned by

the state. The remaining forests are owned by millions

of individuals and municipalities, as well as the church

and other institutions. There are currently around

4,300 forestry groups with more than 400,000 members

representing a total ownership of 3.8 million hectares of

forest. Participation is therefore largely concentrated on

policies, strategies and legislation on forests but is not

related to single management decisions. Many people in

In Germany, anybody can use the forests for recreational purposes

Image: vtI