When an author called the Germans "forest people", you can remember that the lives of the ancient Germanic tribes were strongly influenced by the large forests that once covered their territory.
The ancient Roman historian Tacitus wrote of a Germanic or Germanic tribe: “At a certain time of year, all the members of the same group meet their helpers in a forest; inaugurated by the idolatry of their ancestors and the superstitious fear of the ancient world. . . . And of all its superstitions it is drive and prejudice; that the nation has taken the original from this place, that God, the supreme ruler of the world, lives here and that everything else is subject to him. "-Germany.
The primeval forest provided the Germanic peoples with wild animals for food, skins for clothes and wood to make tools and build their homes. At the same time, the "black forests," as Tacitus called them, aroused the admiration and respect of the people. This made them regard some trees, such as some oaks, as particularly sacred. In Germanic mythology it is said: “The universe is supported by a large box. . . The roots of the Yggdrasill tree grow in all living and dead worlds. He is watered from a sacred well at his feet there. . . "Fate" determines the fate of the people. Life-giving dew falls like mead from its branches to the ground, and a goat grazing on the leaves gives the mead to the gods to drink.
But over the centuries, the attitude of the Germans towards their forests has changed considerably. While forests were once considered scary or mysterious, they are now considered precious. These are the strong points on which modern civilization rests. Therefore, they must be loved, cultivated and protected. The Forest book says: “Today we know the forest as an important source of building materials and as a huge container that modern technology can get a virtually unlimited number of valuable products, such as paper and plastic. , Turpentine and alcohol. "
But the forest is much more: this book continues: “The forest is much more than a storehouse for the material needs of man. Its protective layer is considered to preserve soil and water and moderate the local climate. An article in a German newspaper illustrates this point: “The floods caused 87 deaths in four provinces in southern Thailand. Six people are missing. More than 1,000 homes and 24 schools have been sunk or destroyed. According to an announcement from the Ministry of the Interior, the government attributed the floods, preceded by heavy rains, in particular to the extensive rehabilitation work carried out in the southern part of the country in recent years. . ""
Learn how to do this
The above report is just one of many tests. They show that the unrestricted use of natural resources by humans has led humans to figuratively cut off the limb on which they sit. However, this was not fully achieved in Germany until the 18th century. For example, in the early days of industrial development, large pieces of wood were cut to provide fuel for glass. But still the visionaries warned of the risk of turning the country into a treeless meadow. Forest schools were founded and scientific replanting of forests.
The approximately 2,500 square kilometers of lignite on the west bank of the Rhine between Cologne and Bonn illustrate what can be done to keep the country under human habitation. Lignite (or lignite) is mined above the ground, and this open pit or open pit mine leaves a lunar landscape with large craters. Therefore, this was an unusual opportunity to create a completely new landscape, not only for economic reasons but also for practical reasons, such as becoming a leisure area. But how do you create "a forest"?
Healing the wounds caused by mining initially meant preparing a suitable soil for the needs of the forest, which gave: (1) a variety of mineral contents, (2) a consistency and (3) sufficient levels of oxygen through ventilation.The so-called forest gravel, a mixture of sand, gravel, stones and lice, met all three requirements. In addition to trees, lupines, plants of the pea family, have been planted to enrich the raw soil. They are useful in three ways: they add nitrogen to the soil; protects the soil from the heat of the sun and prevents it from drying out; and finally, to prevent the fallen leaves which contribute to the formation of humus from loosening.
First of all, anyone who tries to create a forest should learn from their experience, because the ecological imbalance between the plants in the forest was not understood as it is today. However, they realized that fast growing poplars would be viable as pioneer types of reforestation. However, a monoculture made up of only poplars can be dangerous. This can encourage certain types of insects to reproduce, which can then destroy the entire crop. So it was better to plant more than one species of tree.
The prepared soil turned out so good that several trees were planted. A combination of beech and larch was used, mixed with poplar. Since poplars grow faster, they have served as a protective shield for the more sensitive tree species. Poplars, alders, carob trees and willows have good root systems because they need lots of water. How useful is it to create a forest? Well, its roots hold the soil in place and prevent erosion and landslides caused by water saturation. Using a variety of trees later would avoid sterile sites when cutting old trees. A healthy mix of different species is also best for recreation.
In this state, 36 different tree species are now used for reforestation. An in-depth study of the conditions in which they grow up and their mutual relations has been carried out. Scarce firewood and giant sequoias are also part of a special park, which apparently contributed a lot to the formation of the vast lignite deposits. Eighteen types of brushes complete the picture, including hazelnuts and various types of wild roses.
Lakes artistically integrated into the landscape are part of all recreation areas. However, removing old mining pits and turning them into lakes that can be used for swimming and water sports is no easy task. Before more complex forms of plant and animal life emerge, small pioneers of microscopic flora conquer lakes, rugged and unpretentious algae. Then, the beaches will soon be framed by reeds, rushes, reeds, algae and water lilies. Wild animals, water fleas, mussels and other living things follow, which in turn serve as food when ponds fill with fish.
The presence of the lakes has also helped make the bird population more diverse than before. Swamps and aquatic birds, which were not found here before lignite mining, have taken their place. Soon this restored woodland area was populated with feathered singers who added to the music so relaxing to hear on a spring morning. They also help protect forests by preventing insects from multiplying quickly. Insects also balance the purpose of building and maintaining a forest.
While digging up a shovel of dirt, you will probably be surprised at how many different creatures and life forms you will encounter. The forest called it "the hidden world of the earth". He spoke about a study conducted by researchers on the best inches of forest. What did you think? There were an average of 1,356 creatures per square meter, including 865 mites, 265 springtails, 22 centipedes, 19 adult beetles and various numbers of 12 other forms. If a microscopic estimate of the population had been made, it could have spread up to two billion bacteria and several million fungi, protozoa and algae in a single teaspoon of soil. "- pp. 131, 132.
How useful are these creatures for building a forest? A lot of. Without them, the land would not be as productive. Moles, hedgehogs and falls also contribute to the ecological imbalance in the fight against insects. And if he has searched in vain for them in the heaps of rubbish they have left behind breaking ties, they seem to feel at home here in the forest.
How useful are these creatures for building a forest? Very. Without them, the earth would not be as productive. Available moles, hedgehogs and tip screws also contribute to the ecological balance by fighting insects. And even though he searched in vain for them in the ashes left by surface mines, they seem to feel at home here in the forest.
In the forest we must not forget our friends, the rabbit, the squirrel and the deer. It did not take long before they also found their way home and contributed to the ecological balance. The others who came were the fox, the mink, the badger and the herd. This helped prevent rabbits and other animals from entering the area and severely damaged the young tree buds.
Future perspective
If you asked the many people who hike the well-kept forest trails in Germany why they love forests so much, you will no doubt get a lot of answers. The industrial society seeks relaxation in "nature", where the noise is quieter and the movement less aroused. Many people like fresh air, because tree bark and leaves purify the air by collecting dust particles that are washed ashore by rain. The silence in a forest, its dominant colors of green and blue, the soft mumbling of the leaves, a brook mumbling - how they calm the nerves, stimulate the body and stimulate the mind!
Therefore, many citizens appreciate the fact that some employees today are more diligent than before to ensure that trees are not cut unnecessarily or that the wood is cut. At the request of the authorities, the West German branch of Jehovah's Witnesses designed their new home so that some young pines could remain on the property. Therefore, the trees are a good extension of the adjacent forest.
According to the newspapers, many people turn away from religion and leave the churches empty like never before. Here in Germany, many people seem to regard a walk in the woods as a kind of "Sunday service." They claim to feel closer to God in the forest than anywhere else. But they must be careful not to make the mistake of going to their ancestors and turning nature into a kind of god.
A realistic reader of "The Book of Nature" is always surprised when he turns the pages "side by side" and notices the complex interplay between the ecology of the forest. You can see relationships so strong and stable that if the man gives them half the chance, they can do wonders. You can turn open pit boxes into recreation areas. But there is also a lot of room for people's creative and cultural contributions.
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