European forest climate resilience initiatives

Efforts to increase forest resilience against climate change and wildfire risks have intensified in Central Europe. In Germany, research led by ecologist Jens Schröder focuses on identifying fire-resistant species, such as the German oak, which is described as “extremely fire-resistant”, alongside species like the Australian red oak and Moroccan pistachio to mitigate extreme heat and drought.

Building on these resilience goals, forestry initiatives in Germany and Austria are implementing practical planting programs. In Bavaria, the state is subsidizing the planting of alternative species, including Lebanon cedar and Atlas cedar, across over 1,000 trial areas. Similarly, Austria’s ‘Cedrus4Clim’ project is examining various ecotypes of the Lebanon cedar across different regional climate gradients to secure future reforestation and seed production.

Recent developments highlight differing philosophies within these adaptation strategies. In Germany, forester Peter Wohlleben has warned that coniferous monocultures increase wildfire risks, advocating instead for the expansion of national parks and the promotion of natural deciduous forests. He argues that natural regeneration is often more effective than planting, as naturally grown trees typically develop deeper root systems.

Meanwhile, practical implementation continues through state-funded programs. Bavarian Forestry Minister Michaela Kaniber reported a doubling in attempts to plant new tree species through a ‘citizen science’ initiative that supports landowners in testing climate-resilient varieties. In Austria, the ‘Cedrus4Clim’ project, involving the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, continues testing Lebanon cedar ecotypes across Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and Burgenland to identify varieties best suited for changing environmental conditions.