The study area

The Hainich in Thuringia is a 30km long mountain range running from North to South with a maximum width of 8km. The highest point is in 494m a.s.l. On the steep western side the Hainich slopes down to the valley of the Werra river, whereas the eastern side gently declines into the Thuringian Basin (Thüringer Becken). Soils of varying depth developed on layers of shell limestone (Muschelkalk) with loess cover. The annual average temperature is 7.7°C and precipitation declines from the western edge and higher points (700mm) towards the eastern part (590mm). Hence, the climate can be classified as sub-Atlantic with continental influence. Temporary watercourses, which fall dry in summer, are characteristic for the Hainich.

Covering around 15’000ha of wooded area, the Hainich is one of the largest undissected areas with deciduous forest in Central Europe. Some of the stands belong to the most tree species-rich forests in Central Europe and bear up to 14 tree species per hectare. Widely distributed are forest types with 3 to 4 tree species (beech, linden, ash, mountain maple) or with about 5-6 tree species (beech, linden, ash, hornbeam, mountain maple, oak). Besides, there are large relatively species-poor beech forests. On December 31st 1997, the exceptionally old, species-rich and complexly structured forests in the southern part of the Hainich and bordering succession areas were placed under the preservation order of the Hainich National Park on an area of 7610ha.