Scaling forest conversion: Measures for climate-resilient forests

Forest conversion is a crucial step in preparing forests for the challenges of climate change. Monocultures or pure stands, which were often created in the past for economic reasons, are now proving to be particularly susceptible to storms, drought, pests and diseases. Between 2018 and 2021 alone, over 500,000 hectares of forest in Germany were damaged as a result. The conversion of these unstable forests into species-rich mixed forests is essential to ensure the resilience and ecological functionality of the forests in the long term.

Why is forest conversion necessary?

Climate change is altering the framework conditions for our forests:

• Drought and extreme weather conditions are affecting native tree species such as the spruce, which was once considered the bread and butter of forestry.
• Biodiversity loss weakens the entire forest ecosystem, as important interactions between plants and animals are lost.
• Protective functions of the forest such as water regulation, soil protection and CO₂ sequestration are at risk if forests collapse.

To make forests fit for the future, we need scalable solutions. Trees must be planted or sown that are better adapted to drought, heat and storms, while at the same time promoting the natural regeneration of forests. This is the only way to preserve forests as an important_{CO2 sink} in the long term and contribute to climate protection.

Forest conversion measures

Forest conversion is a long-term undertaking in which different measures are used to increase the diversity of the forest in the target state. There are basically three different ways to introduce new tree species.

1. Promote natural regeneration: Forests have the natural ability to regenerate themselves if the conditions are right. In near-natural forests in particular, regeneration can be promoted and thus accelerated through targeted control of light incidence, an adapted game density and protective measures for young trees. 
2. Planting seedlings: Where natural regeneration is not sufficient, for example in damaged monocultures or clear-cut areas, pre-grown seedlings can be used. This method makes it possible to introduce climate-resilient tree species in a targeted manner. Examples include tree species such as sweet chestnut, Douglas fir or downy oak, which cope better with warmer and drier conditions.
3. Direct seeding: With direct seeding, seeds are sown directly on the forest area instead of planting pre-grown seedlings. After sowing, the seeds germinate directly on site and are thus optimally adapted to the local microhabitat from the outset. Thanks to undisturbed root development, the trees are also more resilient in the long term than planted trees. In addition, larger areas can be achieved with lower costs and less work.

Technological innovations, such as the pelleting of seeds or the use of drones, can make these approaches more efficient and precise. One example of a technological innovation in the field of forest conversion is the Berlin start-up Skyseed, which makes direct seeding scalable on a large scale.

Skyseed: Technology and ecology for sustainable forests

The Berlin start-up Skyseed brings the traditional method of direct seeding into the modern age. With the help of drones and ground-based sowing machines, specially coated seeds are distributed over large areas with precision. The seeds are coated in protective pellets containing biostimulants and protective substances to improve germination and reduce susceptibility to environmental influences and predators.

Direct sowing offers three fundamental advantages:

• Scalability: Large areas are processed much faster and more cost-effectively than with plantations. This means that the immense challenge of forest conversion can be met more quickly.
• Greater diversity of species: Through the targeted use of drones and ground-based sowing methods, various tree, herb and shrub species can be sown efficiently and precisely, thereby increasing diversity in the forest. 
• Healthier roots: The pelleted seeds create optimal conditions for germination and support the development of strong and deep root systems. Healthy roots improve anchoring in the soil and increase water and nutrient uptake, which is particularly important in times of drought. 

Skyseed shows how innovative approaches can complement traditional methods and thus better meet the challenges of forest conversion.

"With our pelleting process, we significantly improve the germination and survival chances of the seeds on the field. In this way, we want to counteract the rapid pace and immense extent of forest damage, but at the same time develop as close to nature as possible." - Ole Seidenberg, co-founder of Skyseed.

Project areas that are managed with our partner Skyseed combine nature-based methods of forest conversion with modern technologies that help to scale and optimize the measures. This approach helps to better meet the challenges of climate change.

Project Wendland: Example of a successful combination of measures

The forest conversion project Wendland aims to gradually convert a pure pine stand of 165 hectares in total into structurally rich mixed stands. By thinning out the old stands, selectively planting and sowing climate-resilient tree species and protecting the natural regeneration, new, structurally rich tree layers are being established under the protection of a sparse pine canopy.

The newly introduced site-appropriate tree species include red oak, sand birch, chestnut, English oak, lime, Douglas fir and coastal fir. Some of these are introduced by direct seeding with the help of Skyseed. The following video provides an insight into the project:

Conclusion: Sustainable forests through diversity, innovation and sustainable financing

In order to create stable, climate-resilient forests, a combination of different measures is essential. From natural regeneration and the planting of seedlings to scalable methods such as seeding - every measure has its place. In particular, the integration of modern technologies, such as those offered by Skyseed, shows how forest conversion can be made not only cheaper but also more sustainable.

Another key factor for the success of forest conversion is financing. CO₂ certificates play a central role here. These certificates make it possible to monetize the climate protection effect of forest conversion projects in the form of tradable units. Companies and organizations can purchase such certificates to achieve their climate protection goals. Everyone involved benefits:

• Forest projects receive funding to convert large areas and create climate-resilient mixed forests.
• Companies achieve their climate targets by making an active contribution to climate protection through the purchase of certificates.
• Society benefits in the long term, as forests not only bind CO₂, but also protect water resources, promote biodiversity and create recreational areas.

Partnerships play a decisive role in this process. Together with Skyseed, Pina Earth makes forest conversion scalable.

Would you like to find out more about the partnership or our projects? Please feel free to contact us!