The ‘Wald als Schwamm’ (transl. ‘forest as sponge’) project aims to improve water retention in the forest to limit flooding through adjustments to the construction of forest roads in Lower Saxony. The project, which has received €260,000 in funding, will be tested on 288 hectares in 2025.
Forest roads, although essential for timber transport and safety, disrupt the natural infiltration of water, worsening runoff during heavy rains. The project therefore plans to build fords for overflowing roads above streams. In this way, more water will be able to infiltrate the soil or the flow will be slowed down in the event of heavy rain. Similarly, small waterways will be created to better divert the water flowing towards the forest. This will improve the level of groundwater recharge. Finally, ponds are to be created at the sides of the path to facilitate infiltration. This will also create valuable biotopes and habitats for amphibians and insects.
This initiative could lead to a uniform standard for the construction of forest paths in Lower Saxony to better manage the impacts of climate change.