Forest dieback 2.0: Germany's largest reforestation campaign is looming!

Forest dieback 2.0: Germany's largest reforestation campaign is looming!

Germany is facing a massive challenge: the largest reforestation campaign since the Second World War is imminent. This necessity results from the serious consequences of climate change, which experts refer to as “Forest Dieback 2.0” – a situation that is even more serious than in the 1980s. Around 525,000 hectares of forest are severely damaged; in particular, spruce stands and deciduous trees such as beech and oak need to be reforested. Over 80 percent of remaining trees show damage, even after a wet 2024.

The low mountain ranges, such as the Harz and the Thuringian Forest, as well as parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse are particularly affected. The monocultures that have emerged since the post-war period are proving vulnerable to pests and the effects of climate change. According to a study by the Institute for Ecological Economic Research (IÖW), investments in climate-stable mixed forests can achieve an impressive return on public welfare of 1,100 percent. Every euro invested in reforestation could generate a value of twelve euros, which corresponds to a social benefit of around 200,000 euros per hectare.

Current challenges and damage report

The situation is further complicated by extreme weather conditions that have caused severe damage to German forests in recent years. Storms that occurred in fall 2017, spring 2018 and 2022, and a pronounced drought in 2018 to 2020, 2022 and 2023 contributed significantly to the damage. These extreme conditions favored the mass proliferation of the bark beetle species book printers and engravers, which severely impaired the stability of the spruce forests. Particular attention is paid to the damage caused by secondary pests to deciduous trees such as beech and oak. In a forest condition survey from 2024, it was found that 36 percent of the trees had significant crown thinning and only 21 percent of the trees were considered healthy.

Financial resources for reforestation are also a critical issue. The federal and state governments have provided around 870 million euros for reforestation measures since 2019, with 125 million euros planned for the current year alone. Nevertheless, the subsidies are often not enough to cover the planting costs of around 17,000 euros per hectare. This leads to the creation of uncultivated areas, which can lead to high levels of climate and environmental damage in the long term.

Reforestation measures and programs

In order to improve the situation, the climate initiative “Tomorrow Can Come” was launched, which has been active since 2022 and which has already financed and planted over a million seedlings - this corresponds to an estimated social value of over 100 million euros. In addition, the Natural Climate Protection Action Program (ANK) and the “Climate Adaptation Forest Management” (KWM) funding program set new standards in sustainable forest management.

The high demand for these programs has led to the exhaustion of ANK funds, which has created a strong incentive for private and municipal forest owners to implement climate-adapted management. According to current estimates, reforestation of more than 500,000 hectares of forest area must continue to repair ecological damage and preserve forests for future generations.

A comprehensive reforestation and restoration plan is urgently needed to stabilize forests, which are essential for climate protection, biodiversity and as a source of wood. The path to a climate-friendly future requires both committed financial support and a strategic approach to selecting suitable tree species and promoting natural regeneration.

You can find more information on this topic at fr.de and bmel.de.