# French forest health and management challenges > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/french-forest-health-and-management-challenges > Updated: 2026-08-25T08:26:42.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. French forests are facing significant ecological challenges driven by climate change, including declining carbon sequestration capacity and increased tree mortality. Data from the Institut national de l'information géographique et forestière (IGN) indicates that average annual CO2 absorption fell from 63 million tonnes between 2005 and 2013 to 39 million tonnes during 2014–2022. Despite an expanding total forest area, tree mortality has risen by 125% over the last decade due to droughts and heatwaves, while biological threats like pests and fungi have increased by 175% since 2015. In response to severe wildfires in the Landes region in 2022 and July 2026, French officials and experts are proposing a shift in forest management. New policy directions suggest moving away from profit-driven forestry toward climate-adapted, heterogeneous landscapes. Proposed strategies include diversifying forest composition by adding deciduous trees and riparian strips to existing maritime pine stands, widening firebreaks, reducing tree density, and implementing stricter undergrowth clearance to enhance resilience. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: French forests face declining carbon sequestration capacity French forest carbon sequestration has dropped from 63 to 39 million tonnes annually as climate change, droughts, and insect attacks degrade forest health despite expanding total forest coverage. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-forests-face-declining-carbon-sequestration-capacity ### 2026-07-29: French forest policy pivots to diversified planting after 2022-2026 fire crises French forest managers propose keeping pine while adding deciduous trees and fire corridors after major 2022‑2026 fires, urging denser, climate‑adapted reforms. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-forest-policy-pivots-to-diversified-planting-after-2022-2026-fire-crises --- Cite as: French forest health and management challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/french-forest-health-and-management-challenges