Climate-resilient forests through assisted migration: Scientific Advisory Board submits statement to the Federal Minister of Agriculture

The Scientific Advisory Board for Forest Policy (WBW), chaired by Prof. Dr Jürgen Bauhus at the University of Freiburg, submitted a statement titled “Anpassung von Wäldern durch Unterstützte Migration” (“Adapting Forests through Assisted Migration”)to Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer on 24 March 2026. In the document, the Board makes recommendations on the targeted introduction of native and alternative tree species into forests to strengthen their resilience to climate change. This so-called “assisted migration” is the subject of heated debate in society, particularly the introduction of non-native tree species. The WBW’s recommendations aim to provide a balanced perspective on the potential benefits and risks.

“If we want to preserve the ecosystem functions and biodiversity of our forests, assisted migration will be essential in future as a strategy for active forest adaptation,” says Prof. Dr Jürgen Bauhus, Head of the Chair of Silviculture and spokesperson for the Future Forests Cluster of Excellence at the University of Freiburg. “To achieve this, measures are needed, on the one hand, to integrate populations of native tree species that are better adapted to the climate such as those from the Mediterranean region while expanding the range of hardy native tree species. On the other hand, the introduction of non-native tree species must also be considered, as has already been done successfully with Douglas fir and red oak from North America.”