The Taunus forest contains the species spruce, fir, hemlock, and more, and
have done for decades. Recently, the population of these trees have dropped significantly due to the invasion of bark beetles - bark beetles eat spruce, fir, hemlock - all of which are present in the Taunus forest.

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Why are these trees important?

• No trees = no ecosystem

• Hemlock trees help with the maintenance of water banks by keeping them cool and maintain their shape/ size

• Spruce

  • Economically: commonly used as raw material due to their light color, but also used as pulp, paper, and cardboard

  • Environmentally: it is able to absorb a lot of carbon dioxide and provides a home for birds and other species

• Fir: They are able to store and absorb carbon

Environmental Problem: 

• Loss in biodiversity

  • There is a decrease in biodiversity in hemlock, spruce and fir trees as bark beetles carry the Dutch elm disease = they die faster = decrease in species richness and evenness

• Weaker = more vulnerable to Bark beetles

  • An increasing number of trees are weakening due to rising temperature, they lose their defense mechanism and become more vulnerable to bark beetles

• Negatively impacts the economy

  • Spruce, in particular, help drive the economy as it is favored as a raw material due to its long and straight fibers and light color

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How do climate-change-induced problems impact me?

• Warmer and drier days – more sun exposure in the forest

• Displacing wild animals – more wild animals are going to seek cover from the sun closer to human civilization putting humans at risk

• Loss in vegetation – negatively affects the ecosystem