The municipal area of Hafling covers around 27 km². Almost exactly half of it – 13.5 km2 – is woodland. In Vöran, which stretches out over an area of 22 km2, the share of forest is over 75 %, at a plentiful 17 km2. If we think about these figures, it is clear to us what an important role the forest plays in the fabric of our landscape. Yet not only does the forest shape our nature, but it also fulfils an important role for mankind, the climate and economy.
The forest as an economic factor
As a supplier of raw materials, the forest gives us wood, creates jobs and strengthens the local creation of value. With the exception of some very steep and sparse slopes and a few protected areas, the forests in Hafling and Vöran can be used for forestry almost in their entirety. The largest share of forest resources is in private ownership privately owned (64 % in Hafling; 76 % in Vöran) and belongs to small operations that have managed their forests for generations in harmony with nature and strict forestry laws. These include that no more wood can be taken from the forest than is able to be grown again. “It is not for nothing that the term sustainability* has its origins in forestry,” explains Forest Ranger, Georg.
Protection against natural hazards
Alongside the economic aspect, our mountain forests also play an important protective role. The so-called “object-protecting forests” safeguard homes and roads from rockfalls, avalanches and mud slides; the “site-protecting forests”, on the other hand, protect their own sites from soil loss in steep locations. Whilst in Vöran, due to the only moderately steep terrain, there is very little protective forest, in Hafling and Meran 2000 there are still 60 hectares designated as “object-protecting forests” and 500 hectares of “site-protecting forests”.
Forests under pressure
Our woodland is changing. Long dry periods and an unfavourable distribution of rain brought about by climate change are afflicting the mountain forests. Hafling and Vöran have been spared so far from the major storm damage such as the one that occurred most recently in South Tyrol in 2018 as a result of Storm Vaia; nevertheless, in 2020 and 2021 there was a higher proportion of damaged timber due to snow pressure. And this damaged timber, encouraged by the hot temperatures in the subsequent summer, led to a massive increase in the numbers of bark beetle. “The forest will transform,” say our forest rangers. This will happen in Hafling and Vöran too, where the damage has been kept within limits and the flat forest areas make near-natural management easier, as Forest Ranger, Georg, explains. Our forests have to become more species-rich. What is needed is trees that are adapted to the location and climate. Protective forests need to be preserved. And greater awareness must be fostered in the population at large. The forest authority is working with schools to do this. Tree festivals have a long tradition and are a good opportunity to actively involve even the very youngest in reforestation. Especially as planting a tree is in any case one of the three things that every one of us should have done during our lives...
Did you know...?
Every one of us can do something good for the forest. Here are three simple tips:
- Save paper – every page that isn’t printed out is a contribution.
- Stay on the tracks – the forest floor is full of living creatures worth protecting.
- Mindful mushroom harvesting – leave fungi that are not harvested intact (biodiversity).
* The herm was first used by Hans Carl von Carlowitz in 1713, in his work Sylvicultura oeconomica.
Data: Forest Station Lana (responsible for the municipal area of Vöran), Forest Station Meran (responsible for Hafling and Meran 2000)