The sustainable use of wood is an integral part of near-natural forest management in the district. The primary goal is always to preserve the forest, conserve natural resources and at the same time strengthen the diverse functions of the forest.
Wood is an important raw material that is indispensable in both the construction and furniture industries, for example. It is available as a renewable, regionally available raw material and makes a significant contribution to the climate-friendly design of everyday life.
Measures for a sustainable forest
During maintenance interventions in young forest stands and during thinning work, individual trees are specifically removed to give the remaining trees more space to develop. This promotes the growth of the individual trees in the crown and root area and thus strengthens the respective stability and vitality and therefore that of the entire forest. In older stands, the forest is prepared for the next generation by creating larger gaps that provide the next generation of climate-stable young trees with light and space to grow.
However, climate change poses major challenges for the forests in the Ludwigsburg district. Drought damage, insect and fungal infestation mean that an increasing number of diseased or dead trees have to be removed. "Unfortunately, this is currently the case with every second tree removed. All the more reason why care and thinning must not be neglected in order to continue to make the forest climate-ready for the future," says Dr. Simon Boden, Head of the Forestry Department at the Ludwigsburg District Office.
Forests as climate protectors and sources of raw materials
The latest results of the Federal Forest Inventory 2022 confirm the high value of the forests in the district of Ludwigsburg for recreation and ecology. "Our forests are also very important as CO₂ reservoirs and sources of the renewable raw material wood," explains Boden. Despite the climatic challenges with constantly rising average temperatures and prolonged periods of drought as well as insect and fungal infestation, the wood stocks and the amount of carbon stored above ground have remained constant compared to the 2012 inventory. This illustrates the importance of
of near-natural and sustainable forest management. The increase in the
proportion of trees over 160 years old and the continuous strengthening and further development of climate-stable mixed forests are proof of the long-term preservation of biomass in the forests in the district of Ludwigsburg.
The use of a sustainably growing amount of wood and the use of wood in products that are as durable as possible, such as furniture or building elements, actively protects the climate. By also replacing climate-damaging materials such as concrete, metal or plastic, the "substitution effect" contributes to a multiple increase in this climate protection performance.
"The results of the national forest inventory thus show that the forests in the district not only fulfill their social and ecological function, but can also sustainably provide the renewable, climate-friendly raw material and make an active contribution to climate protection," says the head of department.
Attention, forest work: Be considerate during the timber harvest
During the logging season, there may be disruptions for forest visitors. For safety reasons, forest paths may have to be closed at times. The Forestry Department at the Ludwigsburg District Office asks all forest visitors to observe these closures and not to enter closed areas. This is for your own protection, as timber harvesting is associated with dangers such as falling branches or working machines. Alternative routes will be signposted where necessary. Once the work has been completed, the forest paths will be cleaned promptly and, if necessary, repaired.
