environmental protection and nature conservation
Protecting nature means protecting the climate
52 million tons - that's the average amount of CO2 that German forests reduce in the Earth's atmosphere each year. That is more than a third of the emissions produced by traffic in Germany in 2020 (146 million tons).
In short, we need forests to counteract air pollution in Germany and protect the climate.
Photosynthesis
Plants absorb colorants via dyes in their
leaves and needles sunlight. This serves as
Energy source for a unique biochemical
reaction in which the plants chemically convert light energy
bind. This is necessary so that they can eventually
Carbon dioxide and water are vital
can synthesize nutrients.
One man's waste product, another man's
Life element: If a tree has the energy chemically
bound, it shall return the resulting amount, which is
Baum aber nutzlosen Sauerstoff an die Umgebung
off. By the way: a fully grown beech tree alone
produces more than four tons of oxygen per year,
enough for the oxygen requirements of ten to
twenty people in the same period!
This dextrose is the goal and result of the
photosynthesis. It serves plants as a starting material
for the synthesis of fats and proteins. In addition
they can convert it into starch, which is difficult to
is soluble and even with water loss in the plant
remains
In most cases, the air humidity alone is sufficient for the
photosynthesis. If the soil is too dry, the
but also the stomata of the leaves in order to
to stop further dehydration - this means that
the plant no longer absorbs CO2, the
Reaction stops.
The plant binds the CO2 from its environment. In the process
it's all about the right atmosphere: Too little
CO2 prevents the reaction, too much prevents it ever
by type in other vital processes,
such as the absorption of nitrogen from the soil.
The forest is dying. Let's save it!
Our forests have often been around for many decades or even longer. But they cannot be taken for granted - they now need protection themselves. Because forest dieback is in full swing. Why is that?
Climate change
As the climate changes, so does the weather: extreme conditions such as storms, heatwaves and cold spells are becoming more frequent. 2018 and 2019 were exceptionally dry and hot - 2018 was even the warmest year in Germany since weather records began. This has a major impact on the sensitive ecosystem, such as an increased risk of forest fires due to long dry periods.
Pests
Climate change is causing soils to dry out and lose important nutrients. This makes trees susceptible to pests. Probably the best known of these is the bark beetle and its notorious subspecies, the spruce bark beetle. Its mass reproduction disturbs the balance of forests in many regions, with serious consequences for the tree population.
A DANGEROUS DOWNWARD SPIRAL
Climate change and new pests are weakening the forest, so the trees bind less CO² in their wood. This in turn accelerates global warming - a real vicious circle with consequences for every living thing on our planet.
How well is our forest doing?
The 2020 forest condition survey shows that the average condition of tree crowns has never been so poor since the surveys began in 1984. Only one in five trees is still healthy.
According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, 277,000 hectares of forest were infested with damaged timber in 2020 alone - an area larger than Saarland.
Year: 1984
Damaged trees: 56 %
Year: 2020
Damaged trees: 78 %
1984
2020
Moors - often forgotten, just as worthy of protection
Our moors have been around for more than 12,000 years, but they are more relevant today than ever before.
JUST LIKE THE FOREST, OUR MOORS ALSO STORE A LOT OF CO2.
According to BUND, around twice as much as all forests combined. In addition, moors are home to many plants and animals and thus contribute to biodiversity. Peatlands are also essential for flood and groundwater protection.
BOGS ONLY EXIST WHERE THERE IS SUFFICIENT WATER.
This allows organic residues to build up without decomposing. Eventually they become peat. To date, 99 percent of all German peatlands have been drained or mined for agricultural or forestry use. We are committed to protecting the last percent from this.
Donate money, protecting forest, animal kingdom and the climate
In view of this development, it is high time to act. Together, we are laying the foundations for a sustainable future in our country and on our planet.
PLANT-MY-TREE. Die Stiftung. is actively committed to Germany's forests and natural areas and thus supports environmental protection. With your donation, you enable us to acquire new nature conservation areas, reforest forests and maintain them. In this way, you help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the long term and preserve local biodiversity.
Donate to nature conservation and save the forest
Nature conservation: counteracting the downward spiral
It is a vicious circle in which we find ourselves. If something is not done quickly and, above all, sufficiently, the climate targets that have been set cannot be achieved. Everyone can do something to protect nature and thus help the forest. But why are trees affected so much?
- Trees convert harmful carbon dioxide (CO²) into carbon and oxygen with the help of photosynthesis. Around 80 healthy and fully grown trees are needed to offset one ton of CO².
- Global CO² emissions amount to around 37 billion tons per year (as of 2022).
- Climate change is causing more and more trees to die. This is due to the prevailing temperatures, but also to storms and, last but not least, to pests that prey on diseased trees.
- The tree population is thus being reduced more and more.
The solution for effective nature conservation: forests must be reforested.
