Wiederbewaldung im rheinischen Braunkohlegebiet

Restoring Forest Ecosystems in the Rhinish Lignite Mines

1999

14 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

4354

200080309

Decades of forest destruction accompanying the open cast mining have marked the Rhinish lignite mines district as much as the long tradition of restoring forest ecosystems. A constant change of goals goes along with the progress of technological possibilities and practical forest engineering. This leads to adapted methods which combine economic and ecological aims. Under these circumstances destroyed forests cannot be reconstructed immediately. What can be created are the necessary conditions for a natural reforestation. Forest recultivation steers the coming into being of new forests on barren soils. It also accelerates the formation of the climax stage in most of the concerned areas. Reforestation of areas which had formerly been expolited by agriculture, as it has been executed in the last few years, leads to a revival of regions with little forest surface, it promotes the suitability for recreation, it offers a refuge to natural beings, it fosters the linkage of small forest isles, and it produces the inexhaustable raw material wood. Binding CO2 is a positive side effect that cannot be neglected nowadays.