Sustainable and modern forest management according to the latest findings
The Ruhrverband's forest areas, totalling around 3,100 hectares, mainly surround the eight dams. The forests are managed according to the latest forestry knowledge about the forest ecosystem.
Forest management at the Ruhrverband aims to protect water, improve the diversity of biotopes and species and make the reservoirs more attractive as a landscape. Most of the timber produced is marketed to the local sawmill industry. The Ruhrverband regularly checks the safety of the trees on its properties.
Forest serves the water
The 4,488 square kilometre catchment area of the Ruhr in the Sauerland has no significant groundwater resources, meaning that the water supply of the Ruhr depends on the spatially very different amounts of precipitation and the additional water from the reservoirs. In the rainy Sauerland, it is of great importance for water management that the forest can temporarily store much of the irregularly occurring precipitation water. Of all forms of vegetation, it therefore makes the most valuable contribution to runoff regulation and flood protection. At the same time, its filtering effect provides good quality water and protects the reservoirs from sedimentation and thus loss of storage space by preventing increased soil erosion.
Today, the water requirements of the Ruhr region are basically secured by the reservoirs, whereby the forest supports water management to a considerable extent.
Forest management
The Ruhrverbands forests are managed in a near-natural way with the greatest possible diversity of species and structures in order to protect water quality. This includes
- the avoidance of clear-cutting, as clear-cut areas interrupt the forest's internal nutrient cycle and thus have a negative impact on water quality,
- the small-scale restructuring of large spruce stands into deciduous or mixed deciduous/coniferous stands, as these contribute to soil improvement and are more resistant to damaging events such as storms and insect infestation as well as to the predicted climate change,
- the inclusion of secondary forest tree species such as rowan, willow and birch in forest management with the aim of improving the nutrient cycle and increasing ecological diversity.
Ecology and landscaping
Reservoirs and the forests surrounding them characterise the landscape to a special degree. The diverse composition of tree species and their age structure support this function and at the same time ensure ecologically stable habitats (biotopes). The preservation of old and dead trees (deadwood) and the maintenance of "special biotopes" such as rocks, debris cones and wetlands also contribute to the protection and promotion of these habitats and the associated biocoenoses as well as rare and protected animal and plant species.
Special willow and grass species are used in some areas to secure the banks of the dams. In addition to securing the banks, these plantings create a near-natural transition from the water to the forest while promoting ecological diversity.
Thanks to the forest management principles described above, there are a large number of biotopes worthy of protection in the Ruhrverbands forests. This and the importance of the reservoirs as a resting and feeding biotope for waterfowl species have led to the designation of several nature reserves. Particularly noteworthy is the Möhne Dam as a bird sanctuary of international importance, parts of which have been designated as an FFH area in accordance with the EU's Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive.
Contact us
We are happy to pass on our knowledge about the forest, water and ecological relationships to you. Among other things, we offer chainsaw courses for adults and guided tours for school classes, kindergartens and other interested groups. We also provide information about our forestry work at open days and trade fairs and are involved in committees, associations and clubs in favour of near-natural and sustainable forest management.
FriedWald
In 2013, the Ruhrverband concluded a cooperation agreement with the municipality of Möhnesee and FriedWald GmbH for the operation of a cemetery forest at the Möhne dam. The FriedWald is a near-natural form of burial outside of conventional cemeteries. The ashes of the deceased are buried in a biodegradable urn in the root zone of a tree. A cemetery forest is part of a large wooded area that is specially dedicated as a cemetery area. For this purpose, five hectares of forest on the Delecker peninsula were initially thinned and prepared by the forestry department of the Ruhrverband. Further areas will follow as required.
At the end of 2012, the Ruhrverband, which continues to be responsible for the forestry management of the cemetery forest, began thinning the forest area. A total of around 105 cubic metres of trunk wood, 160 cubic metres of industrial wood and 200 cubic metres of wood chips were harvested from the forest and marketed as furniture wood, chipboard wood or for thermal utilisation, depending on their usability. In order to avoid clear-cutting, almost every tree was climbed by trained tree climbers and checked for traffic safety. After climbing, the sawn-off branches and dead wood were chopped up to remove potential tripping hazards.
The FriedWald at Möhnesee is one of 66 FriedWald sites in Germany; there are two more in Austria. The first FriedWald in Germany was opened in November 2001.
Further information about the FriedWald Möhnesee can be found at FriedWald Möhnesee online shop.
In spring, the forest awakens from hibernation with green buds and birdsong. FriedWald invites you to enjoy the first beautiful days of the year on a free guided tour of FriedWald Möhnesee and learn about the concept of burial in nature.
At regular intervals, FriedWald foresters will guide you through the FriedWald Möhnesee and inform interested parties about precautionary and burial options. The meeting point is the barrier at the entrance to the FriedWald.
Further information can be found on the FriedWald GmbH website. Please register by calling 06155 848-200 or www.friedwald.de is requested.
FriedWald is an alternative form of burial. The ashes of the deceased rest at the roots of a tree in a forest designated as a FriedWald. The concept has existed in Germany since mid-2000. The FriedWald Reinhardswald near Kassel was the first burial forest to be opened in Germany in 2001. There are now 66 locations in Germany, spread across the country from Rügen in the north to Heiligenberg on Lake Constance. FriedWald GmbH, managed by Petra Bach, is based in Griesheim near Darmstadt.
Contact
FriedWald GmbH
Im Leuschnerpark 3
64347 Griesheim
Ruhrverband has been certified as a forest owner by the PEFC since 2002. PEFC stands for "Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes". It is a transparent and independent control system for checking sustainable forest management on the basis of national standards, in other words a global "forest MOT" so to speak.
Forest certification in accordance with PEFC standards is based on very strict guidelines for management, which are monitored by competent and independent organisations. It is proof that wood comes from forests that are managed in an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable manner.
The commitment and willingness to work for the forest ecosystem is documented by the PEFC logo. As a unique selling point, the certificate testifies to the good forestry work carried out by the Ruhrverband. If a product made of wood bears the PEFC seal, this means that the entire product manufacturing process - from the raw material to the ready-to-use end product - is certified and inspected by independent experts.
Further information on PEFC certification can be found at pefc.de.