Öko-Institut e.V. (oeko.de)

Editorial

Forest management – the rational approach

Introduction by Michael Sailer, CEO, Oeko-Institut

Forests have been part of our lives since time immemorial, constantly interacting with human communities. A forest is a high-value ecosystem which makes vital contributions to biodiversity, soil conservation and climate regulation. It also provides us with some of our most important natural resources, including wood, the material that first made human settlement possible. In light of these highly diverse functions, rational and balanced forest management is of key significance. It must consider the sometimes conflicting interests of commercial use and environmental protection, both in Germany and worldwide.

Forests have always been on the Oeko-Institut’s agenda, thanks in part to the support provided by Hermann Graf von Hatzfeldt, previously a longstanding member of our Committee and Advisory Board and whose expertise as a forest owner has greatly benefited our organisation.…

Forest management – the rational approach

In Focus

Forests

Adequate conservation, efficient use

The forest is a magical place. It is home to trees that are many centuries old, as well as to countless species of fauna: beetles and salamanders, toads and nightingales, foxes, deer and wild boar. Its air is filled with the scent of resin, wild herbs and fungi. It is a place where we can relax and unwind. For these reasons alone, forests should be valued and protected – but they perform many other functions as well. They play a vital role in protecting the climate by converting… more

Forests

Forests around the world

Protection instead of destruction

The survival of the world’s forests is at risk. In Brazil, 7,900 square kilometres of rainforest were cleared over the past year, mainly to make way for agriculture. In Indonesia, forests are vanishing, often replaced by palm oil plantations: between 1990 and 2015, the country lost roughly a quarter of its forest area. Nigeria lost roughly 60% of its forest cover in the same period. The numerous forests in South America, Asia and Central Africa are of vital significance for human… more

Forests around the world

“Improving the forests is wonderful work”

Interview with Hermann Graf von Hatzfeldt

When Hermann Graf von Hatzfeldt took over the Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg family forests in 1969, a clear-cutting system was in operation. Naturalness and species diversity were absent. Today, his forests in Rhineland-Palatinate, Brandenburg and Thuringia are managed ecologically. A private landowner from Siegerbergland, von Hatzfeldt has not only converted his forest operations to natural silviculture but also pioneered the introduction of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification… more

“Improving the forests is wonderful work”