At home in the forest

Forests surprise with their diversity. This diversity guarantees people all the basic necessities of life as well as prosperity and well-being. To this day, it continues to open up new and surprising possibilities for use.

Zwei Waldinsekten unterhalten sich über Waldnutzung.

There are usually several forms of forest use and management in each forest area. Conflicts of interest and risks often arise from their interaction. They can plunge the forest and the people affected into serious crises. Over 300 years of forest history teaches us that forests, diversity and livelihoods cannot be taken for granted. Forests need mindfulness, foresight and agreements.

People and societies around the world are constantly challenged to find very individual solutions for themselves and their native forests. The following information deals with the forests in Germany and in particular with the forests in Saxony and Brandenburg. It is based on the results of the RiKA research project. The aim is to further facilitate understanding and cooperation between citizens and forest managers for a sustainable forest and, in particular, to communicate the risks of plant protection measures .

Mini video clip "At home in the forest" on public transport television in Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz

Kurz-Video zur Kampagne "Zuhause im Wald" © RiKA | TU Dresden

"Understanding forest protection - understanding decisions

Forest protection - why is it sometimes controversial?

Person im Schutzanzug steht auf Holzpolter und spritzt PSM

Forest protection - why is it sometimes controversial?

A complex field of tension between nature conservation, the climate crisis and forestry practice Read more

Hubschrauber fliegt über Waldfläche und spritzt PSM

Plant protection products in the forest - really only as a last resort?

n Germany, a clear principle applies to forestry: pesticides may only be used if all other, more environmentally friendly options have been exhausted and there is an acute risk to large areas of forest. Read more

What does "integrated pest management" mean in the forest?

Integrated pest management means: first exhausting all other measures that are as environmentally friendly as possible, then - if necessary - intervening in a targeted manner with chemicals. In forestry, such interventions are the exception, not the rule. They are based on precise monitoring and well-founded forecasts. Read more

Person im Schutzanzug steht neben großem Polter und spritzt PSM

Plant protection products in the forest - how dangerous are they really?

Strict tests and clear rules Modern plant protection products are subject to strict testing procedures. Only approved active substances may be used - and only by qualified personnel. Old, particularly problematic substances such as DDT have been banned for decades. Read more

vor Waldfläche hängt Schild mit Totenkopf und Aufschrift: Vorsicht! Begiftete Fläche!

Gefährden Pflanzenschutzmittel die Artenvielfalt?

Das Abwägungsdilemma Förster:innen müssen Fall für Fall entscheiden: Wiegen die Schäden durch einen Schädlingsbefall schwerer als die Risiken für die Artenvielfalt? Dabei wird Zeitpunkt, Dosierung, Fläche und Mittelwahl so gewählt, dass negative Effekte möglichst gering bleiben. Read more

Schild vor Waldfläche mit Aufschrift Achtung begiftung betreten verboten

Overreaction or justified concern - how does the forestry industry deal with criticism?

The RiKA analyses show that the acceptance crisis in the forestry sector is not solely due to the measure itself, but above all to the way in which it is communicated. Read more

For all those who would like to learn more about the topic "Forest - what, how, who, where?

Forest, the all-rounder

How is the forest doing?

Pristine, untouched forests no longer exist in Germany. Even forests that are left to develop naturally or are protected by law are not free from human influence. Forests are connected to the surrounding countryside and its soils via air and water. This brings them into contact with non-forest organisms, substances and other influences ... Learn more

Vogelperspektive auf einen Wald aus dem Nebelschwaden aufsteigen.

What can forests do?

The existence of diverse species is enough to achieve great things together: Intact forest ecosystems purify and store air and water, provide building materials, energy and much more. In order to regenerate, they require close networking with other ecosystems. Taken as a whole, this biodiversity safeguards all the foundations of life more efficiently and innovatively than technology ever could ... Learn more

Ein Waldarbeiter entastet mit der Motorsäge einen gefällten Baum.

What can't forests do?

Forests are under enormous human influence. This intentionally and unintentionally changes the composition of the forest community as well as its forest services and self-regulation. By the time a new balance has been established in the living world, the non-living world has also changed. Soil, water and atmosphere change like their inhabitants. Protection becomes necessary ... Learn more

Raupen des Schwarmspinners fressen einen Ast kahl

What are the risks for forests and people?

A wide variety of events can pose serious risks and crises for forests and people. In order to mitigate or prevent these in advance, forestry measures are weighed up in sustainable forest management. Communicating the measures and their risks should help to create acceptance and support among the population ... Learn more

Eine Försterin verteilt Waldpflanzen an freiwillige Helfende

Who takes care of the forest?

All forests in Germany are owned. Accordingly, they are state forests, corporate forests and private forests. Forest owners are therefore the federal government, federal states, municipalities, special-purpose associations, companies, foundations, churches, associations, private individuals and many others. They are organized in different ways ... Learn more

How do we use forests?

People's demands have always changed the forest and the forest has always changed people. The latter is impressively demonstrated by groundbreaking findings in forest and materials research. Every form of forest use encouraged people to secure and increase their yields through forms of cultivation. Germany has long been characterized by cultural landscapes ... Learn more

How much forest is there?

Under natural conditions, around 98% of Central Europe would have been covered by different forest ecosystems from the beginning of the warm period around 9,000 BC to the present day. Since the Middle Ages, the proportion of forest in what is now Germany has fluctuated between 15 - 30 %. In 2021, around 32 % of Germany's 35.7 million hectares of land will be forested. ... Learn more

Der Sämling einer Eiche wird schützend in einer Hand gehalten.

How can forests be preserved?

Forests can only maintain themselves to a limited extent. Protection or sustainable management can help. This requires social cohesion and means diverse forms of management adapted locally to each forest area as well as regional value chains to finance local managers. Without these measures, forests are at risk of overexploitation and destruction ... Learn more

Ein Eisvogel sitzt auf einem Ast über einem Bach im Wald

What is a forest?

The forest is a community of life and purpose. It can consist of diverse species of animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and viruses of different ages. These are usually spread over several forest levels, with the trees obviously predominant in the area. People are also part of this community. They all interact with each other ... Learn more