Numerous damaging events in recent years have literally exploded the pest population in East Tyrol. The first measures of an expensive package are working, but more money is needed to declare war on the bark beetle.
The effects of the bark beetle in East Tyrol are devastating: more than two million cubic meters of damaged wood had to be removed. That is 15 times as much as in normal years. Disasters, such as heavy snow or storm events, were the trigger. This allowed the pests to multiply explosively.
Another reason: the high temperatures, Staatsbosbeheer Josef Fuchs illustrates: “This year has shown that we have only two thirds of the average rainfall, plus three to four degrees higher temperatures and more hours of sunshine. This is a scale that has not been seen before in all of Central Europe has been seen at such heights.” A package of measures was put together in the autumn of 2021 and implemented this year.
Millions of vermin flew out of the forests
130 beetle monitoring traps were installed, more than 4,000 Trinet systems (pyramidal scaffolding with anti-pesticides) were installed and healthy trees were felled. District Forest Inspector Erich Gollmitzer: “The healthy ricochets would attract beetles. The goal is to let the pests invade and then fly out of the trunk.” About 220 million bark beetles have already been eliminated in this way.
The Defereggental, Kartitsch or Villgratental are especially affected. There it is important to maintain the protective function of the forests. “That has the highest priority,” emphasizes LHStv. Joseph Geisler.
Multi-million dollar package for the conservation of protective forests
However, the measures are expensive. This year alone, some 7.2 million euros will flow to East Tyrol for reforestation and development work. The mayor of St. Veit, Vitus Monitzer, also knows that the forest is especially important in case of calamities: “It’s about safety and accessibility. Families have lived here for generations.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
