Forest knowledge
Germany's Forests: The Current Situation
At 11.5 million hectares, the forest covers almost one-third of Germany. This makes it the second most common form of land use after agriculture – and an indispensable resource. Forests are a habitat for animals and plants, a recreational area for people and a central component for climate protection measures to reduce climate change. The fourth National Forest Inventory (BWI 4), which was carried out by the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food between 2020 and 2022, shows that the forest area has increased slightly since 2012 – a testament to sustainable management and reforestation.
However, increasing the forest area alone is not enough. The health of the forests is also an issue, as many forests are severely damaged or lie fallow due to climate or other damaging events. Private forest owners in particular, who manage almost half of the forests in Germany, often face major challenges. They lack the knowledge, resources and support to maintain their land sustainably or to make it climate-resilient. The forest in Germany has a timber stock of 3.7 billion m³ or 335 m³ per hectare. However, carbon storage has decreased by 41.5 million tonnes (3 %) since the last National Forest Inventory. Since 2017, the forest has changed from being an important carbon store to a carbon source. The decline in the rate of increase due to the drought years and the disasters of recent years is particularly alarming.
30-40 % of them are damaged. This means that at least 27 billion trees are affected in Germany alone.
Fallow land in the Sauerland region, as well as the forest areas of the WeReforest project in Trais-Münzenberg
The distribution of forest areas reflects the diversity of the German landscape: While the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse occupy the top two spots with a forest cover of around 43 %, Schleswig-Holstein, with only 12 %, has comparatively little forest cover. The ownership structures are just as varied as the utilisation.
With 48 % private forest, this form of ownership dominates the forests in Germany. Forests with small-scale structures are particularly challenged, as many owners are unable or unwilling to actively manage their land. At the same time, these forests offer potential for nature conservation and climate-friendly projects.
However, a large proportion of the forests remain unused: About 43 % of the timber land area has not been logged in the last 10 years. This development shows how important targeted support is in encouraging forest owners to manage their land sustainably. Projects like those supported by WeReforest can help to revitalise fallow land and promote forest conversion.
Tree species in transition
The composition of tree species in German forests has changed significantly in recent decades. The proportion of deciduous trees such as beech and oak has increased by 7 % since the last inventory, while the area covered by spruce has decreased by 17 %. The most common tree species are:
Distribution of tree species
- Pine (22 %): Particularly widespread in the northeast German lowlands, it is considered comparatively robust.
- Spruce (21 %): Characteristic of the low mountain range, but severely affected by drought and pests.
- Beech (17 %): A central component of the natural forests in Germany.
- Oak (12 %): They are particularly resilient and stable thanks to their deep roots.
- Other (28 %): The remaining 28 % are distributed among 47 other tree species.
Forest as a habitat
Germany's forests are among the country's most biodiverse habitats. They provide a habitat for around 2,900 plant species, 140 vertebrate species and countless insects. In particular, deadwood, the amount of which has increased significantly in recent years, plays a crucial role in this process. It serves as a habitat for specialised species such as fungi, beetles and birds. Another key to biodiversity is the age structure of the forests. With an average age of 82 years, the forests offer a variety of microhabitats, from woodpecker cavities in old trees to damp soil areas that provide shelter and food for rare species.
Challenges posed by climate change
Climate change poses immense challenges for forests. Extreme weather events such as drought, storms and pest infestations are taking a massive toll on stocks. Spruce is particularly affected and has lost large areas due to its susceptibility to drought stress and pests such as the bark beetle. But deciduous trees such as beech and oak are also showing increasing damage. The timber stock is currently increasing by 9.4 m³ per hectare per year, which corresponds to about 101.5 million m³ per year. This represents a decline of 16 % compared to previous years, which can be attributed to the pressures of climate change.
The solution lies in the long-term restructuring of forests into climate-adapted, multi-layered mixed forests. Tree species such as oak, sweet chestnut and Douglas fir, which are better adapted to warm and/or dry conditions, are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, sustainable forest management is required that takes equal account of ecological, economic and social aspects.
The future of Germany's forests
Germany's forests are at a turning point, because their future depends on how we treat them today. Long-term efforts by politicians, scientists, foresters and society are needed to preserve them and to adapt them to changing conditions. A climate-resilient forest that maintains biodiversity and can be sustainably used is a decisive contribution to climate protection and to safeguarding the forests for future generations. In addition to the forest store, the use of wood is also important: The use of wood as a substitute for energy-intensive materials currently avoids around five million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. This emphasises the central role of sustainable forestry and wood use for climate protection.
