Integrate+

It is one of the largest communal forest enterprises in Germany and internationally recognized for its sophisticated and established forest concept. The Swedish experts visiting the city forest represented private, state and communal forest owners and companies, forest consultants, forest owner associations, the Swedish Forest Agency, scientists and politicians, the latter including two Members of Parliament.

The programme was kicked-off with presentations followed by forest excursions. The field visits had the aim of highlighting different aspects of forest management in the city forest enterprise. ‘Schattiner Zuschlag’, one of Lübeck City Forest’s set aside forest areas, has been left undisturbed for many decades. Today it serves the enterprise as a reference area for their managed forests. Topics of discussion focussed on the role of natural vegetation types and dynamics, regeneration and wildlife management. Silvicultural options were presented for broadleaved, mixed and coniferous stands.

They also visited the I+ Marteloscope ‘Lauerholz’ in which virtual tree selection exercises were performed. Aim of the exercise in the Marteloscope was on how to embed nature conservation into forest management while allowing a good economic return for the enterprise. The Lübeck City Forest has been implementing such integrated forest management approaches successfully and is thus a highly relevant showcase.

Further topics of interest for the Swedish participants were quality and quantity of ‘habitat trees’, concepts for deadwood accumulation and the importance of habitat continuity and connectivity. Also growing stock, increment development and cutting rates were discussed including harvesting methods, wood marketing and recreational concepts the city forest applies.

The three days were accompanied by lively discussions between the German and Swedish experts. They focussed strongly on what would be viable options for integrated forest management in Sweden.

Mikael Karlsson from Silvaskog who co-organised the ‘Exchange of Experts’ stated:  
“Thank you to the Integrate+ team and the Lübeck City Forest for hosting us last week! I received feedback from the participants that they have learned a great deal during the visit. Taking home many new and innovative ideas and an extended network contacts will help stimulate efforts towards integrative forest management approaches in our country.”

Photos: (1) Participants performing a virtual tree selection exercise in the Integrate+ Marteloscope ‘Lauerholz’; (2) Group gathering around a large oak during the excursion through Lübeck City Forest.

The main excursion points are highlighted in the Integrate+ field guide

The Marteloscope ‘Lauerholz’ is presented as an info sheet