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Historic developments demonstrating early reactions to economic,
social and environmental demands on forests gave rise to another
noteworthy movement in the form of close-to-nature forest manage-
ment. Long before modern science evolved to support many of their
original hypotheses, some foresters in the early 19th century advo-
cated developing both ecologically and economically valuable forests
by making use of natural processes and avoiding clearcutting and
bare forest soils. Much of this early practical experience paved the
way for later forestry developments, including an increasing propor-
tion of structurally diverse mixed stands, long regeneration periods
and natural rejuvenation methods. Many valuable old forests in
Germany – both in terms of timber and biological diversity –result
from these initiatives. In variable ‘plenter forests’, trees of different
age classes stand side by side and regeneration takes place on a more
or less continuous basis. Selective cutting or group-selection cutting
allows for natural regeneration to develop or existing regeneration
to be used in the spaces opened up by cutting. This method of forest
management by individual tree species and multi-storeyed forest
structure has had a stimulating effect on many other silvicultural
methods over many decades.
According to studies, there are only minor differences regarding
species diversity between close-to-nature forests and unmanaged
natural forests. The aim is to implement close-to-nature forest
management throughout Germany. High forest management is
the predominant silvicultural system in Germany now. The stands
are either naturally or artificially regenerated at the end of a long
production period extending from 80 to 200 years or more, depend-
ing on the tree species.
New developments
Forests remain of crucial importance for the national
economy, nature and society and Germany will
continue to need a productive forestry and wood-
based industry in the future. Especially in light of
the climate and energy objectives of the EU, and
the recent decision of the German Government to
end nuclear power production and reinforce renew-
able energies, the role of wood has to be seen in an
even wider perspective. In relation to the EU, recent
studies are predicting a wood shortage of between
150 and 420 million m³ by 2030. The role of CO
2
sequestration inside and outside forests, and in long-
life timber products, needs to be considered and
optimized. At the same time, there are increasing
demands to increase the proportion of set-aside areas,
in particular high-quality old beech forests, for which
Germany has a specific global responsibility, or to
reintroduce wilderness areas. Discussions and scien-
tific analysis on the best possible strategy to protect
forest habitats and species are ongoing.
With both the economic and ecological demands on
forests increasing, two years ago the Federal Ministry of
Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection launched
discussions on a new National Forestry Strategy 2020.
After a broad, intensive and controversial public
debate, this strategy, which follows the latest National
Forest Programme Decisions of 2004, was adopted
The economic and ecological demands on forests are increasing
Image: vtI