Overview of Implemented Measures

In 2022, a total of 2,782 habitat and cavity trees were recorded across approximately 585 hectares of forest in the project area.
These ecologically valuable structural elements provide a crucial foundation for targeted conservation measures, particularly in relation to the cessation of timber use in old-growth forest structures and the designation of eyrie nesting protection areas.

A portion of the trees was visibly marked and digitally recorded in a Geographic Information System (GIS). This allows for long-term monitoring and integration into future conservation planning.

The adjacent map illustrates the distribution and density of habitat trees per hectare within the entire LIFE4Siegerlandscapes project area. It highlights forest sections with particularly high concentrations of habitat structures such as tree cavities, deadwood, or eyries. The darker the colour, the higher the density of habitat trees. In addition, deciduous and coniferous forests are cartographically differentiated for better orientation.

On September 23, 2022, a practical workshop titled “Species Protection in the Forest” took place at “Die Kiste,” a charming location near the Eben-Ezer chapel in the middle of the Buchheller-valley. In a relaxed atmosphere, forest owners, nature enthusiasts, and conservationists came together to focus on the topic of habitat tree protection.

The central element was the presentation of the “Xylobius” habitat deadwood strategy by Wald und Holz NRW. Experts explained why habitat trees are so important for forest biodiversity: serving as habitat, breeding sites, or refuges for numerous animal species. Particularly impressive was the practical introduction to distinguishing the different categories of habitat trees as defined by the strategy:

• Old-growth wood: Trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 50 cm or an age over 120 years
• Deadwood: Standing dead trees taller than 2 meters
• Cavity trees: Trees with natural or animal-made cavities
• Nest trees: Long-term breeding trees of protected bird species
• Potential trees: Trees with special structures such as trunk cracks, broken crowns, etc.
• Ancient trees: Living trees with a DBH of 100 cm or more

After the theoretical part, the group headed out into the forest. The participants were able to immediately apply their newly acquired knowledge by jointly mapping habitat and cavity trees.

The exchange of ideas proved especially valuable: the combination of expert input and the diverse perspectives of the participants led to lively discussions and exciting insights. It was a successful contribution to practical nature conservation in the forest!

The aim of this agreement is to ensure the long-term preservation of ecologically valuable individual trees, known as habitat trees, within the Special Protected Area DE-5214-401 "Wälder und Wiesen bei Burbach und Neunkirchen". These habitat trees, as defined by the “Xylobius” habitat wood strategy (Wald und Holz NRW, 2014), are important structural elements intended to support the undisturbed and natural development of forest ecosystems.

Requirements:

The trees in question are habitat trees, which may occur in all age classes and stand types, and are distinguished by their high ecological value as structural elements in the forest. Ideally, several habitat trees are located close to one another, allowing the formation of so-called habitat wood islands. Within the protected area, only European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), and Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) are considered suitable as habitat trees.

Rights and Obligations:

• The landowner agrees to completely refrain from any forestry use of the designated habitat trees.
• The trees will be permanently marked with numbered tree plaques and recorded in the agreement. They will remain standing throughout their natural decay process and will not be removed, even as lying deadwood.

Compensation:

As compensation for foregoing use, the landowner will receive an individually calculated payment. This is based on the tree species, diameter at breast height, tree height, the estimated net timber value (excluding harvesting costs), land rent, a management difficulty allowance for the remaining stand, and a fixed amount for designating the habitat trees.

Duration of the Agreement:

The agreement remains valid for the entire natural decay phase of the habitat trees and comes into effect upon signing. The decay phase is considered complete when no standing or lying deadwood is visibly present.

The objective of this agreement is to preserve an ecologically valuable old deciduous forest (“old-growth forest”) as a rare refuge and stepping-stone habitat within the Special Protection Area “Wälder und Wiesen bei Burbach und Neunkirchen" (DE 5214-401),” and to enable its continued undisturbed and natural development.

Requirements:

• The areas are agreed upon with the project sponsor and the Forest Management Association of Burbach or the Regional Forestry Office, as well as the respective landowner.
• The areas already consist of old deciduous forest with high ecological value.
• The areas do not receive funding from other EU support programmes.

Rights and Obligations:

• Complete waiver of forestry use.
• Only necessary interventions for hazard prevention are permitted (with restrictions).
• Monitoring and management by the project staff are permitted.

Compensation:

As compensation for the waiver of use, the landowner receives a one-time financial payment amounting to the agreed gross land rent per hectare.

Duration of the Agreement:

This agreement is concluded for a period of 100 years and enters into force on the day it is signed by the parties.

The objective of this agreement is to preserve an ecologically valuable old deciduous forest (“old-growth forest”) as a rare refuge and stepping-stone habitat within the Special Protection Area “Wälder und Wiesen bei Burbach und Neunkirchen" (DE 5214-401),” and to enable its continued undisturbed and natural development. Forestry use on the sensitive areas shall be restricted/extensified for the duration of the contract. In particular, old trees (>80 years) and especially habitat trees shall be retained during forest management operations.

Requirements:

• The areas are agreed upon with the project sponsor and the Forest Management Association of Burbach or the Regional Forestry Office, as well as the respective landowner.
• The areas already consist of old deciduous forest or potential forest and therefore already exhibit high ecological value.
• The areas do not receive funding from other EU support programmes.

Definition of Sensitive Areas:

Sensitive areas are characterized by the presence of typical old-growth forest structures. Specifically, they have to include at least 50 old trees (>80 years) per hectare, the majority of which qualify as habitat trees according to the “Xylobius” strategy in the categories of veteran trees, deadwood, cavity trees, nest trees, and potential habitat trees. The trees may be distributed across the area or occur in habitat wood clusters.

Rights and Obligations:

• At least 50 old trees or habitat trees per hectare shall be designated, for which the landowner waives any forestry use for the duration of the contract. Management of the remaining stand remains unaffected.
• Only necessary interventions for hazard prevention are permitted (with restrictions).
• Monitoring and management by the project staff are permitted.

Compensation:

As compensation for the waiver of use, the landowner receives a one-time financial payment.

Duration of the Agreement:

This agreement is concluded for a period of 100 years and enters into force on the day it is signed by the parties.