Am Waldrand – die erste Linie gegen den Klimastress
Stolberg
At the edge of the forest, the woods reveal their open side – and their most vulnerable. Here, sun, wind, and moisture come into direct contact. In summer, it quickly becomes hot and dry, causing many trees to experience stress: bark overheats, leaves wither.
Especially shallow-rooted trees like spruces have a hard time because their roots do not reach deep enough. At the same time, the forest edge is a place full of life: shrikes, yellowhammers, rare plants, and insects find their place here.
To keep it that way, care and diversity are needed: mixtures with deep-rooted oaks and beeches, a shrub layer, and buffer strips make this zone more resilient to climate change.
Tip for on the go: Pay attention to small changes while walking – different tree barks, moss on the trunks, or the rustling in the underbrush. Much that seems inconspicuous already tells of the forest's transformation.