1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
-Stabilizing the vitality of three functions of humid forests: adaptation capacity to a changing climate, improve their function as carbon sinks and enhance their capacity to accommodate biological diversity (Ref. 3)
-Revitalizing natural retention areas, moor forests by restoring a balanced water cycle characteristic for the area (Ref. 3)
-Secure the long-term existence of the rare forest types which was threatened by drainage works in the project area and projected longer dry periods in the future (Ref. 4)
-Important sub-areas are the Davert, which had been drained over centuries, the historically old forest area of the Wolbeck Zoo and the Hohe Ward, where alluvial and swamp forests, swamp forests and nationally important oak-hornbeam forests grew on naturally moist to wet locations. They were to be strengthened in order to adapt better to climate change, act as a carbon sink and seen as a place of biological diversity (ref. 1)
Wet forests were to be optimized, alluvial forests revitalized and bog forests secured. For this purpose, a balanced, natural landscape-typical landscape water balance was to be restored (ref. 3)
-Revitalizing natural retention areas, moor forests by restoring a balanced water cycle characteristic for the area (Ref. 3)
-Secure the long-term existence of the rare forest types which was threatened by drainage works in the project area and projected longer dry periods in the future (Ref. 4)
-Important sub-areas are the Davert, which had been drained over centuries, the historically old forest area of the Wolbeck Zoo and the Hohe Ward, where alluvial and swamp forests, swamp forests and nationally important oak-hornbeam forests grew on naturally moist to wet locations. They were to be strengthened in order to adapt better to climate change, act as a carbon sink and seen as a place of biological diversity (ref. 1)
Wet forests were to be optimized, alluvial forests revitalized and bog forests secured. For this purpose, a balanced, natural landscape-typical landscape water balance was to be restored (ref. 3)
Quantitative targets
Stabilizing the functions of 4,000 ha of humid forest in the face of climate change impacts (Ref. 3)
Monitoring indicators defined
Carbon balance of wilderness areas in comparison with areas used for forestry (Ref. 3)
Biological diversity (Ref. 3)
Soil water balance (Ref. 4)
Amount of aboveground and underground biomass (Ref. 4)
Amount of waste and dead wood (Ref. 3)
Number of microhabitats (Ref. 4)
Amount of vegetation, bugs and breeding birds (Ref. 4)
Vitality of the trees: crown of the tree, defoliation, fungal infestation, fruiting (Ref. 5)
Biological diversity (Ref. 3)
Soil water balance (Ref. 4)
Amount of aboveground and underground biomass (Ref. 4)
Amount of waste and dead wood (Ref. 3)
Number of microhabitats (Ref. 4)
Amount of vegetation, bugs and breeding birds (Ref. 4)
Vitality of the trees: crown of the tree, defoliation, fungal infestation, fruiting (Ref. 5)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Stabilizing the hydrological cycle: investigating the soil water balance in the project area to determine stabilizing measures and set up areas where such measures can be implemented; investigating the existing drainage channels (which were implemented during the 19th century in order to turn the former moor forest into forestry) and sealing the channels to reduce the duration of dry periods (Ref. 4);
Optimization of tree species: Increase the amount of climate / hydrological well-adapted tree species, for instance through deliberate new plantings (Ref. 4);
Preserving deadwood: Increase the amount of dead and used wood to improve the forest's function as a carbon sink, biodiversity hotspot, water retention and balancing the microclimate (Ref. 4);
Revitalize moors: investigate options for reactivating the original moor forest which was drained but, if reactivated, could serve as a major carbon sink (Ref. 4); purchase of private land in the project area (Ref. 4)
Optimization of tree species: Increase the amount of climate / hydrological well-adapted tree species, for instance through deliberate new plantings (Ref. 4);
Preserving deadwood: Increase the amount of dead and used wood to improve the forest's function as a carbon sink, biodiversity hotspot, water retention and balancing the microclimate (Ref. 4);
Revitalize moors: investigate options for reactivating the original moor forest which was drained but, if reactivated, could serve as a major carbon sink (Ref. 4); purchase of private land in the project area (Ref. 4)
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify system innovation
The project has both a technological (research) as well as a governance component; it aims at a transformation of current forest use and management system. Human interventions into the forest ecosystem that have decisively changed the latter, such as the drainage systems or drying out the moor, shall be reversed to reestablish the natural ecosystem functions of the forest. Active collaboration with forestry operations is sought to support this transformation, with voluntary participation in measures, information provision (research results), workshops and professional advice about adaptation measures. The project combines practical, scientific forestry knowledge with nature conservation insights. Long-term observation and monitoring of the introduced changes shall help determine the potentials of a nature-based increase of carbon storage and develop successful, replicable adaptation solutions for forests and forestry operation (Ref. 2, 5, and 8).
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The project is described as a role model for producing insights into measures and strategies for climate adaptation in German forests which points out its novelty (Ref. 1 and 5)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The strong scientific component of the project shall help create a solid, replicable methodology to be used across other German forests with similar field conditions. Also the materials used in the workshops with the forestry operators shall find application across the defined project area (Ref. 1).
