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Forest in Change

by Emilia 3010

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Forest in Change
Geography and Economic Education

4A Class, School Year 2020/21
Project Leader: Prof: Mag. Anita Pöckl
Bundesgymnasium and Bundesrealgymnasium Waidhofen an der Thaya (Austria)
Research question

How large is the spatial distribution of forest damage in the spruce and pine stock by the bark beetle in the Waldviertel region (case studies from the district of Waidhofen an der Thaya and Zwettl, Lower Austria) for the period from 2018 to 2020 due to longer periods of drought and global warming in the region?
1. Archaeology

The Waldviertel region (Austria) was only sparsely populated in the early Middle Ages. There were many big settlement-free areas and extensive forests covered the land. The natural wood were mixed in the past. Archaeology offers chronic examinations.
In the early Middle Ages there were mainly mixed forests with mostly beeches and fir dominant.
When was the human intervention the strongest and how did it change the tree population and the ecology of the forest?
In the first half of the 11th century the valley of Horner was settled. That changed the tree population very much. Then step by step the whole region of the Waldviertel was settled.
2. The Problem of Bark Beetle Infestation and Forestry Management in the Waldviertel region (district of Waidhofen an der Thaya and Zwettl, Lower Austria)

In the last few years the forests were heavily infested by the bark beetle in the region Waldviertel (Austria). The special ‘bark beetle years’ were 2018 and 2019, a little weakened in 2020. The tree species mostly infested is the spruce. Also pine trees are often infested. Spruces aren’t going to be planted anymore in the Waldviertel region in the future. Instead, larch, marple, oak, European beech and many other species will be used, because deciduous trees are not attacked. It is set to mixed forests.
Legend:
Source: Government of Lower Austria, Forestry Division, 2018.
1. Archaeology

The Waldviertel region (Austria) was only sparsely populated in the early Middle Ages. There were many big settlement-free areas and extensive forests covered the land. The natural wood were mixed in the past. Archaeology offers chronic examinations.
In the early Middle Ages there were mainly mixed forests with mostly beeches and fir dominant.
When was the human intervention the strongest and how did it change the tree population and the ecology of the forest?
In the first half of the 11th century the valley of Horner was settled. That changed the tree population very much. Then step by step the whole region of the Waldviertel was settled.
Legend:
Category 5: very heavy infestation
Category 4: heavy infestation
Category 3: medium heavy infestation
Category 1 and 2: to the usual extent
Source: Government of Lower Austria, Forestry Division, 2018.
The forest has already mostly been destroyed In the district Waidhofen an der Thaya (north western of Lower Austria). An impressive example is the area of Raabs an der Thaya. Also the forest is destroyed in the military training area near Allentsteig. The spruces and pine trees which are still left are highly threatened.
For advising the forest owners in the district Waidhofen an der Thaya and Gmünd, the employees of the district forest inspection in Waidhofen an der Thaya and the forestry chamber secretary of the local district chamber are available. Since February 2021 there is also financial support from the state for forest owners, whose forest is/was infested.
The answer to the question if there have been mistakes in advising forest owners in the past is probably ‘yes’. It was recommended to plant only spruces. Today we know that the focus on just one tree species is not good.
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