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Persistent drought is killing many trees in the forests of the Basel region. Authorities call for caution during forest walks. Due to the branch and crown accidents were already closed in Riehen several rest areas and the fin track. The condemnation of the forest is at your own risk, warns the community on its website.
"We do not intend to close the entire forest and it is not a matter of fear, but rather the protection and awareness of the population against such dangers," he says. Andreas Wyss, Riehen Forester.
Native trees suffer
The damage caused by drought on beeches and spruces are the most obvious, as reported by the Forestry Bureau of Basel. Individual trees died in dry places, but also whole groups of trees. To a lesser extent, other species such as sycamore maple, oak or silver fir are also affected.
Trees that die directly in dry conditions of this size are extraordinary. "It is worth mentioning that many trees react so strongly.We assume that this will be further intensified with other days of heat," says Ueli Meier, Cantonal Forester
High number of beeches dying
According to Meier, the number of dying beeches is so high this summer.the last two decades has not been determined.Trees would normally reduce the need for water in case of drought with The following year, however, they would go away again.
Especially older trees are dead, the exact reasons are still unclear and these damages could be attributed to the great, if not exceptional, drought this summer. "There are also late effects of winter storms. Tree water supply is a problem, "explains Meier.
There are "warning signs of climate change" with which native trees are struggling. "Beech in particular will have difficulties because it can not cope with the great drought," says Meier. More summer heat and less rainfall would be a problem for beech and spruce in particular.
Basel is a special case
In the other regions of Switzerland, droughts have been seriously damaged in Buchen as well as in Basel. The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL has cases in the Walensee region, where beech trees at the edge of the forest already show brown leaves. "But this is not a current trend," said WSL spokesman Reinhard Lässig.
"Basel is above average in comparison with other parts of Switzerland, so that the forest floor in case of prolonged drought quickly contains too little water, which is necessary for tree growth". In addition, the forest floor of the affected area of Riehen is sandy and therefore dries more quickly.
How does the situation evolve in case of prolonged drought, Lässig can not yet say. However, the WSL continuously analyzes the data of 19 intensive zones and about 140 measuring points all over Switzerland, where it can accurately record the water content of the soil.
Replacement planting becomes necessary
according to the Forestry Measures Office required. Partially replaced trees should be planted. It also resorts to tree species that like the heat and tolerate drought. These include, for example, dewberry, vetchling, walnut or snow maple.
(nda / lb / lha)
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