A channel connecting two reservoirs was built in the Bolesławiec Forest District, resulting in fresh water flowing into a reservoir several kilometres away. An ample water supply benefits wildlife and tree stands, improving their strength and productivity.
“The fact that we had fairly intense and steady rainfall over the past few days caused water to reappear in the forest in some places, especially in areas such as the Lower Silesian Wilderness, which are generally dry habitats. For quite a few years, all our watercourses were dry, particularly those deep in the forest, but now the water is flowing again,” says Maciej Krzak, spokesperson for the Bolesławiec Forest District.
Although increased rainfall can cause material damage and flooding, it is a positive situation for forests. The sound of flowing water has a calming effect on people and is an attraction for tourists. However, returning to pre-drought conditions will take time.
“As we know, water in the forest is simply life. An ample supply of it brings wildlife back, makes tree stands stronger and also increases their productivity. So a reservoir located in parts of the forest that, as usual, lack water and experience a constant deficit causes those sections of the forest to come back to life,” Maciej Krzak explains.
Since 2018, our region has been affected by persistent drought, which has had a negative impact on tree stands.
“When driving on public roads and paying attention to the tree stands located alongside them, you can observe that pressure from insects we classify as harmful was increased. This was precisely the result of the lack of water. It is particularly noticeable in oak stands along the roads. The pressure of these insects on the tree stands was visible; their crowns were much, much sparser,” Maciej Krzak adds.
The current situation is unusual and may be the result of climate change or solar cycles.
“A dozen or so years ago, this cycle of changes in nature was stable. But for some time now, we have been observing a certain variability, and what is happening now in nature and the weather is rather unusual,” the forester concludes.