{"id":37161,"date":"2026-03-30T15:49:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T13:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/?p=37161"},"modified":"2026-03-30T15:52:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T13:52:45","slug":"climate-resilient-forests-through-assisted-migration-scientific-advisory-board-submits-statement-to-the-federal-minister-of-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/climate-resilient-forests-through-assisted-migration-scientific-advisory-board-submits-statement-to-the-federal-minister-of-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate-resilient forests through assisted migration: Scientific Advisory Board submits statement to the Federal Minister of Agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Freiburg, 27\/03\/2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scientific Advisory Board for Forest Policy (WBW), chaired by Prof. Dr J\u00fcrgen Bauhus at the University of Freiburg, has submitted a statement titled \u201cAnpassung von W\u00e4ldern durch Unterst\u00fctzte Migration\u201d (\u201cAdapting Forests through Assisted Migration\u201d) to Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer. In it, the Advisory Board makes recommendations on the targeted introduction of tree species and populations from other regions of origin that strengthen forest resilience to climate change.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Prof. Dr J\u00fcrgen Bauhus of the University of Freiburg (left), Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for Forest Policy (WBW), together with Prof. Dr Ralf K\u00e4tzel of Humboldt-Universit\u00e4t zu Berlin (right), presented a statement on the assisted migration of native and alternative tree species to Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer. Photo: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Scientific Advisory Board for Forest Policy (WBW), chaired by Prof. Dr J\u00fcrgen Bauhus<\/strong> at the University of Freiburg, submitted a statement titled \u201cAnpassung von W\u00e4ldern durch Unterst\u00fctzte Migration\u201d (\u201cAdapting Forests through Assisted Migration\u201d)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 \u201cassisted migration\u201d is the subject of heated debate in society, particularly the introduction of non-native tree species. The WBW\u2019s recommendations aim to provide a balanced perspective on the potential benefits and risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf 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,\u201d says Prof. Dr J\u00fcrgen Bauhus<\/strong>, Head of the Chair of Silviculture and spokesperson for the Future Forests Cluster of Excellence at the University of Freiburg. \u201cTo 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.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cIf 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.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tProf. Dr J\u00fcrgen Bauhus\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tHead of the Chair of Silviculture and spokesperson for the Future Forests Cluster of Excellence at the University of Freiburg\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In its statement, the Advisory Board emphasises that policymakers must steer the implementation of supported migration in future, in order both to encourage forest owners\u2019 commitment to the concept and to prevent a proliferation of individual initiatives. To this end, advisory services for forest owners must be expanded and a legally secure framework for long-term forestry adaptation measures must be developed. In addition, there must be a reliable risk assessment for non-native tree species and strict import controls on seeds and planting stock to prevent the introduction of diseases and pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Further information<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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