Citizens' Campus: The Thuringian Forest in transition - What is happening around Ilmenau?

The Thuringian Forest was already subject to major changes in the past due to human use. Forest disasters have also changed the forest with effects that continue to the present day.

However, the current changes have a completely new dimension in space and time. In the past, the climate was seen as a constant condition for forests. Now, however, the climate crisis is worsening and our forests are suffering as a result. Due to extremely warm and dry years, the spruce bark beetle (spruce bark beetle) has spread enormously in Thuringia since 2018. The beetle attacks spruce trees weakened by drought and causes them to die. As spruce is the most common tree species in the Thuringian Forest, the effects can be clearly seen in the dramatically changing landscape.

How is the current situation around Ilmenau assessed and what will the forest look like in a few years' time - the speaker, forestry office manager Hagen Dargel, will explore these questions in his lecture and then offer space for discussion.

Admission: 5 euros