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The next generation
of trees grows beneath
the masts.
VERBUND: THE TIE THAT BINDS
It’s the kind of day you’d like to stay indoors – cold,
wet and windy. We haven’t had an October like
this in a long time. We arrive at the reforestation
area in Oberwart, Burgenland – and off we go. Left
and right we see a thick forest, separated by an
approximately 60 metre wide path in the middle.
Electrical masts tower over a light fog. “We have
three different research areas here; the first is fenced
in, the second has individual tree protection and
the third uses a spray to protect from wild animals”,
says Herbert Forstner, project manager for forestry
matters. But the fenced-in area he shows us has
no trees – just tall grass. It looks like only weeds
are growing here. We enter the first research area,
and now we know why there are no tall trees:
the seedlings are still very young. Upon closer
examination, we see small hornbeams, alders
and oaks.
GONE WILD
Attempts are being made here to determine the
best type of wildlife protection: the first with
fencing, the second with individual tree protection
via plastic covers and the third with painting or
spraying trees with special substances that keep
wildlife away but are not harmful to plants. This
is necessary for the reforestation research areas.
“Wildlife likes young trees – they are apparently
delicious”, says Reinhard Barbl, head of forest
ecology construction supervision for the Styria
line. This is why the first area is fenced in. It takes
two people to get the big gate open. Bright dots
appear in the second research area. No, it’s not
autumn leaves, it's the substances sprayed on the
plants to keep wild animals away. The trees in the
third research area look like they’re encased in a
grid. These are starch-based plastic covers that
protect against wild animals and biodegrade in
ten years.
Apart from large wild animals, the young trees
are threatened by rodents like mice and rabbits.
This gives rise to another problem: foxes or other
natural enemies of the small rodents can’t enter the
fenced area. An innovative solution was developed
to prevent overpopulation. Three metre stilts have
been placed around the grounds. They seem to say
STUDENTS REPORT: ECOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR THE STYRIA LINE | SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2009 | 37
“room for rent, all you can eat” – a type of neon
sign for buzzards and falcons.
ONE TO ONE
Replacement planting is a simple idea. For every
space cleared, we have to offer nature an acceptable
substitute. Forestry law demands it. During the
construction of the Styria line, every hectare of
forest cleared had to be balanced out with the same
size space, planted with a minimum of 2,500 trees.
It’s a one-to-one ratio, though it depends on the
state's percentage of the forest. This ensures that
in Austria, forests – as a habitat and a commercial
resource – will not decrease.
ALL PLANTS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL
“Common spruce trees grow like crazy because of
dissemination – we haven’t planted a single one!”
says Mr. Barbl. “They weren’t originally here – this
is not their original habitat”, he adds. They also
bring pests like bark beetles. But they’ll be left in
peace, because “Everything that comes from nature
is good”. This area won’t be recognisable in 50 years.
When the forest gets free space and light, it will
grow all on its own – “natural rejuvenation”, our
expert tells us.
It’s useful and intentional, but in the case of the
spruces, it's not so desirable. “They’re not really suited
for this regional climate. We’ll see that in 25 years
when they begin to rot”, the forestry expert says. Now,
time itself will have to re-create an intact ecosystem.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
The educational trail at the forest in Unterwart is
like a time warp. Here we see all the young plants
from the planting areas in an advanced stage of
development. The educational trail is part of a
reforestation project implemented with multiple
partners. Each tree has a sign that explains exactly
what type it is. There is plenty of reading to do on
the 48 different plants. Birch, sweet chestnut, Scots
pine, Norway maple, hazelnut, blackthorn bushes ...
the array of species seems infinite. Corn rustles in
the adjacent field. Nature can be so beautiful, but we
humans aren’t always the best custodians.