Meuse: near Verdun, a national forest is reborn

Published


Video duration:
3 mins

Meuse: near Verdun, a national forest is reborn.

In the Meuse, the national forest of Verdun was ravaged by bark beetle larvae. So, foresters plant new species, this time more diverse. – (France 2)

Article written by

France 2 – C. Arnold, L. Klethi, J. Susselin

France Televisions

In the Meuse, the national forest of Verdun was ravaged by bark beetle larvae. So, foresters plant new species, this time more diverse.

In Verdun (Meuse)it is a century-old forest, marked by Great WarWho knows a new upheaval. On the ancient battlefields of Verdun, there are gaping holes in the forest. The plots are almost entirely bare. Foresters begin a vast planting campaign. Every year, 300,000 new plants are planted, to replace the decimated spruce trees. Massively planted on battlefields at the end of the war, they are now weakened by summers that are too dry and too hot.

A more diverse forest

The spruces have not resisted the massive attacks of bark beetles; the larvae of this insect attack their bark. 1,700 hectares of the Verdun national forest had to be cut down. On one plot, ONF agents plant young trees by block, but around it, they let nature do its thing. There is no longer any question of monoculture. To avoid a crisis like that of bark beetles, we need a forest that is as diverse as possible.


source site-23

Latest