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Assignment: Germany’s forests under threat

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25/05/2023 GMT

Germany’s forests under threat

BBC World Service - Assignment, Germany’s forests under threat

What can be done to save Germany’s forests?

Four out of five trees in Germany are showing signs of sickness and many spruce forests have already died. Drought and climate change are to blame, so what can be done?

Drought and hotter summers are killing Germany’s spruce forests. They’re a staple of the timber industry but are proving unable to cope with the consequences of climate change. Four out of five of Germany’s  trees show signs of sickness, according to the latest survey of the health of the country’s forests.  All tree species are affected. And although the last couple of years have seen more rain this hasn’t been enough to compensate for the damage already done. 
One third of Germany is forested and trees are seen as a means of absorbing carbon emissions, as well as a source of wood for the building industry and heating. Forests are also a popular destination for recreation – hiking, biking or simply relaxing. Caroline Bayley has been to some of the country’s forests to find out what’s being done to rescue Germany’s trees before it’s too late.


Producer/presenter: Caroline Bayley
Editor: Penny Murphy
Studio: Engineer Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

(Photo: Harz mountains by Caroline Bayley)

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