Studies - Naturwald Akademie

Foto: Franz Josef Adrian

7. 07. 2021

How the forest ecosystem shapes its abiotic conditions and thereby itself

A study shows that the forest ecosystem shapes its environment, such as the microclimate or soil properties, to a greater extent than previously assumed. By influencing the environmental factors, the forest community as a whole is strengthened at the same time.

trockener Wald

18. 02. 2021

From climate protector to source of danger?

Study: Can land ecosystems go from being a carbon sink to a carbon source in the future? The study investigates whether climate change-induced temperature changes will bring the carbon uptake and release of terrestrial ecosystems to a tipping point.

alter Baum im Nebel

3. 02. 2021

Tree giants are carbon giants – above and below ground

Study: A comparatively large amount of carbon from the atmosphere is also bound in the soil under old trees. Thus, old trees make an important contribution to climate protection above and below ground. This must be taken into account in timber harvesting if climate protection in the forest is to gain in value.

13. 01. 2021

Nitrogen input in forests: a fertilizer to cut both ways

Study: The researchers show how that the Nitrogen input in forests has much more impact than the climate change so far. The data came from 100,000 coniferous and deciduous trees in 442 even-aged pure stands from 23 European countries.

9. 12. 2020

EU forests could absorb twice as much CO2

The study of the Naturwald Akademie Germany shows how the climatic performance of the forest can be improved in Europe through near-natural, low-impact forestry. In the ideal case, forests can bind twice as much CO2 from the atmosphere each year. For this to happen, the current practice of forest management would have to change throughout Europe.

Schwarzstorch

9. 12. 2020

Big birds need old trees

Study: The researchers found that the rate of decay of the deadwood is influenced by the tree species, temperature and precipitation. The shortest deadwood residence times were for wood derived from beech (F. sylvatica). In the warmest locations 90% of the biomass had decomposed after 27 years, in the average locations after 35 years and in the coldest locations after 54 years.

Feuer im Kamin

17. 11. 2020

Burning wood is not climate-neutrale

position e-paper: Burning wood is not climate-neutral this clarifies a team of scientists around Prof. Dr. Pierre Ibisch from the University for Sustainable Development in Eberswalde (HNEE, Germany) on the basis of worldwide research work. Even the use of wood in durable products can be detrimental to the climate – especially when the harvesting of wood impairs the functionality of forests.

alter Wald

2. 08. 2020

Letter to the editor: incorrect data sustain use of data in connection with bioenergy from forests

In our letter to the editor of GCB Bioenergy we show, that burning of fresh stemwood that both increases the atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration and reduces functional natural carbon stocks as well as sinks is not reasonable.

31. 07. 2020

Deadwood can remain in forests for generations

Study: The researchers found that the rate of decay of the deadwood is influenced by the tree species, temperature and precipitation. The shortest deadwood residence times were for wood derived from beech (F. sylvatica). In the warmest locations 90% of the biomass had decomposed after 27 years, in the average locations after 35 years and in the coldest locations after 54 years.

alter Wald

1. 07. 2020

Old forests go into weather extremes stronger

An international study, in which more than 90 scientists participated and in which 48 globally distributed, large forest areas were examined, shows that especially trees of large diameter are important for the forest ecosystem and the storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Kronendach im Waldmst Buchenwald

30. 06. 2020

Canopy protects forest organisms from global warming

Study: The leaf canopy of the forests functions like an insulating layer. This protects the organisms living under it from the effects of global warming. On average, the maximum temperatures in the forest are 4°C lower than in the open. This shows how important the buffer effect of forests can be in climate change.

Alte Bäume

31. 05. 2020

Voluminous trees have particularly importance for climate protection

An international study, in which more than 90 scientists participated and in which 48 globally distributed, large forest areas were examined, shows that especially trees of large diameter are important for the forest ecosystem and the storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

In Reihen gepflanzte Bäume

23. 03. 2020

German forest is not close to nature and much too young

Study of the Natural Forest Academy: Almost 90 % of the forest area in Germany is in a poor condition in terms of nature conservation. This is the alarming conclusion of a recent study by the Naturwald Akademie. The authors of the “Alternative Forest Condition Report” published that this lack of near-natural forest ecosystems is leading to a severe loss of biological diversity.

Laserscan von Bäumen

3. 05. 2019

Without management: beech become larger and more stable

Study of the Natural Forest Academy et al: Depending on the degree of management, beech trees change their shape. If the forest is weakly managed or has not been managed for a long time, beech trees become more stable than in traditional forestry. In addition, the amount of usable wood increases significantly, which could have consequences for forestry in the future.

Alte Eiche im Mischwald

18. 04. 2019

Mixed forests are more productive

Study shows that mixed forests are more productive. The study investigated the relationship between tree species diversity in forests and their growth performance. In 44 countries about 30 million trees were examined.

Schatten im Wald

18. 04. 2019

Forests protect plants and animals from climate warming

Study: The leaf canopy of the forests functions like an insulating layer. This protects the organisms living under it from the effects of global warming. On average, the maximum temperatures in the forest are 4°C lower than in the open. This shows how important the buffer effect of forests can be in climate change.

Trockener Eichenmischwald

18. 04. 2019

The special value of intact forest ecosystems

Study: Intact primal forests are the key to mitigating climate change, limiting biodiversity loss and achieving many of the UN’s sustainability goals. 21 representatives of scientific institutions from Australia, Canada, Sweden, the USA and the UN summarize the results of more than 200 studies in the fields of forest, ecology and climate research in this metastudy.

Alter Urwald an der Grenze zwischen Polen und der Urkaine

18. 04. 2019

Biodiversity promotes forest growth

Study: A newly developed indicator can significantly improve forecasts of the consequences of climate change for our forests. Natural forest reserves serve as a reference for the adaptation of tree species and forest ecosystems to climate change. The accuracy of the indicator is likely to increase in the future.

Wald in China

18. 04. 2019

Species-rich forests store twice as much carbon as monocultures

Study: Species-rich subtropical forests can absorb on average twice as much carbon as monocultures. With a mixture of native tree species, it is therefore possible to achieve higher productivity and thus better protect the climate.

zerstörte fichten nach Sturm

18. 04. 2019

Motivation for emergency logging is predominantly economic

Study: Extensive logging in protected forests is increasing. The so-called “sanitary cuts” are generally intended to protect forest areas damaged by storms from attack by the bark beetle. However, this forestry instrument is used far too often. The protection of the forest or the safety of visitors is often only of secondary importance.

alter Baum im Nebel

18. 04. 2019

Trees also bind a lot of CO2 in old age

Study: Even old trees absorb a lot of carbon and thus remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Old trees thus also make an important contribution to climate protection. This has now been proven for the first time in a study conducted by the University of Hamburg.

15. 04. 2019

Breeding birds prefer old structured forests

Study: Old and decaying trees are the best nursery for many forest birds. Old trees are therefore a particularly important part of their habitat.