📋 Tender Overview
Forest Day on March 21st focuses on the importance of forests for the climate and water flow. Pilot projects in the country show how mixed forests can better withstand climate extremes such as heavy rain and drought. Our forest floor acts like a large sponge. It absorbs precipitation and releases it again with a time delay. This means that rainwater flows off more slowly and protects against heavy rain, soil erosion and reduces the risk of flash floods in cities and villages. The different layers of soil naturally filter the seeping water before it is available as clean groundwater. Especially in summer, the external: Forest (Opens in new window) is a pleasant place for many visitors because it is often cooler here because the trees cool the surrounding air through evaporation on their leaves. The forest also contributes to cloud formation and local precipitation. The increase in drought and heavy rain events requires us to convert our forests into climate-resilient mixed forests. In addition, further measures are necessary, such as the design of water crossings in the area of forest paths to be retained in the forest for as long as possible, said the Minister for Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection, Peter Hauk, on the occasion of the upcoming international External: Forest Day (Opens in new window) on March 21st. The External: Climate change (Opens in new window) makes it necessary to convert forests. We now know that structurally rich mixed forests make a positive contribution to regulating the water balance, explained Minister Hauk. In particular, mixed deciduous forests allow more rain and snow to penetrate to the ground during the leaf-free period in winter, which significantly supports the recharge of groundwater, emphasized Hauk. Pilot projects for water retention in forests The External: Forest Research and Research Institute (opens in new window) supports numerous projects for water retention in forests across the country. The projects have a pilot character and are therefore scientifically supported in order to gain valuable experience in the effectiveness and implementation of various measures. The range of measures ranges from optimizing water runoff on forest paths, to temporarily storing surface runoff in hollows or retention areas, to renaturating water bodies in the forest.
