Vegetation - flourishing life after the fire
The vegetation is being analysed by the University of Potsdam.
A forest fire initially leads to greater diversity: more plant species can be found on the burnt areas.
So far, scientists at the University of Potsdam have been able to identify more than 200 plant and moss species on the research areas.
Plants can colonise burnt areas in different ways. Partly through seeds that are spread over long distances by the wind, partly through seeds that have been present in the soil for years. Some species can also sprout again after a fire.
After the forest fires, the pine forests studied in wilderness areas were significantly richer in species than most of the burnt, managed pine forests.
Typical initial colonisers of burnt areas, such as weather-indicating moss (Funaria hygrometrica), fountain liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) and narrow-leaved willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium), grow on the research plots.
The picture gallery shows typical species:
Among the typical first colonisers on the forest fire areas are the Bonfire moss Funaria hygrometrica ... (Photo: Maren Schüle)
... the Fountain liverwort Marchantia polymorpha ... (Photo: Maren Schüle)
... and the narrow-leaved willowherb Epilobium angustifolum. (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2023)
The narrow-leaved willowherb Epilobium angustifolium in full bloom. (Photo: Maren Schüle)
A birch tree can sprout again after the fire. (Photo: Maren Schüle)
One year after the severe forest fire in 2019, the birch trees are sprouting on the wilderness area in Jüterbog. (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2020)
In 2020, the picture is dominated in many places by Erigeron canadensis, a weed with seeds that fly well - here at Plot V3 (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2020)
Two years after the forest fire, the Sand strawflower Helichrysum arenarium is sprouting on the wilderness area near U9. It has probably established itself through seed rain (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2022)
In the summer of 2023, most of the pines have fallen and a beautiful flowering aspect of the Sand strawflower Helichrysum arenarium can be seen at U9. (Foto © Dr. Tilo Geisel 2023)