Trees Adapted for Climate Change: Pirmasens Promotes Nature Resilience
Pirmasens, a city in Germany, is taking proactive steps to increase the resilience of its trees to climate change and improve their overall health. This initiative is made possible through two funding programs of the federal government, injecting more than 1.57 million euros into natural climate protection.
The city's efforts aim to improve the overall condition of trees and help them adapt to changing weather conditions. André Jankwitz, head of the Garden and Cemetery Office, has stated that climate change is causing stress for trees in Pirmasens.
To address this, Pirmasens is implementing a wellness program for its trees. This includes fertilization to provide necessary nutrients and root strengthening to ensure their health and longevity. The overall locations of the trees are being improved by loosening the soil to give roots more space.
The city is also assisting trees in coping with weather conditions through various projects. In the Strobelallee, 50 lime trees are being fertilized, and the city is planning to install new, breathable floor coverings for street and avenue trees, benefiting more than 100 trees in the city. The existing trees will continue to be strengthened.
Pirmasens's strategies align with recognised best practices in urban forestry and climate adaptation. These approaches include species selection and diversity, soil and water management, urban tree care, monitoring and early warning, community engagement and education, and integration into urban planning.
By adopting these strategies, Pirmasens can help its trees withstand challenges such as heat, drought, too much asphalt or concrete, and heavy traffic. The city can also leverage expertise and programs from environmental institutions and research in Rhineland-Palatinate and the Palatinate Forest area nearby to implement these strategies effectively.
[1] Environmental Planning and Management Journal [4] Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Journal
- The environmental science principles of species selection and diversity, soil and water management, and urban tree care are being applied in Pirmasens to help improve the resilience of its trees and protect them against challenges such as climate change.
- In addition to the health-and-wellness program for trees, Pirmasens is also implementing scientific methods to combat climate change by exploring therapies-and-treatments for trees that will aid their adaptation to changing weather conditions.
- The city's environmental-science approach aligns with recognized best practices, including community engagement and education, monitoring and early warning, and integration into urban planning, as outlined in both the Environmental Planning and Management Journal and Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Journal.
