The aim of the ResEt-Fi: Paving the way for reforestation project is to research innovative ways of successfully reforesting dead spruce areas. The pure spruce stands that have been planted in forestry for centuries are highly susceptible to infestation by bark beetles due to prolonged and more frequent dry periods. Drought stress has weakened the trees' natural defenses and large areas of spruce have already died in many parts of Thuringia. In a joint project coordinated by ThüringenForst, five universities are conducting research in seven different sub-projects. Friedrich Schiller University Jena is working on soil and vegetation ecology.
In natural forests, deadwood is an important component for biodiversity. Can deadwood on clear-cut areas not only serve as a habitat for various species, but also help to protect the next generation of forest from extreme heat? And which tree species, in addition to the naturally occurring pioneer species (birch, rowan, trembling poplar and willow), are suitable for planting on clear-cut areas? The ResEt-Fi project is testing various silvicultural methods as an alternative to the complete removal of dead spruce trees and the planting of Norway maple. In these alternative methods, varying amounts of deadwood in the form of stumps or entire islands of dead spruce are left on the test plots. The effects of the deadwood on the microclimate and soil processes are recorded using various measuring devices. You can see some of them at our stand!
Visitors to the Long Night of Science will gain insights into the context and methods of our research project and learn how sustainable forestry can be implemented in times of climate change. The project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the REGULUS funding measure and is an example of cooperation between science and forestry practice to manage reforestation in Thuringia and comparable low mountain regions.