Forestry in a changing climate: extreme weather increases investment risk

Storms, drought and pest infestation cause forest damage in the Harz Mountains Photo: Carola Paul Research team investigates adaptation strategies from a forestry perspective. Climate change is altering our forests. Increased storms and drought have significant consequences for ecosystems and their sustainable use. Forests are important for wood production, carbon storage and local recreation, for example. Studies show that greater biodiversity among trees ensures greater stability in the face of long-term climate change. This has ecological and economic benefits. An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Göttingen, the Northwest German Forest Research Institute and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) has now investigated whether an increase in tree species diversity is also promising as an adaptation strategy under short-term extreme weather events from a forestry perspective.