Schwerin (dpa/mv) - The proportion of forested areas in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has increased significantly. Between 2016 and 2020, the area of managed forest and areas with fast-growing trees - so-called short-rotation plantations - increased from 3.2 to 4.4 percent of the total agricultural area of around 1.3 million hectares, according to the Statistical Office in Mecklenburg -Vorpommern on Tuesday in Schwerin based on the final results of the 2020 agricultural census. This corresponds to an increase to 62,922 hectares of forest areas and 299 hectares of short rotation plantations.
According to the explanations of the statistical office, there are about 20 years between sowing and harvesting on short rotation plantations, with ongoing management measures such as thinning not counting towards the harvest. Among other things, poplars, willows or robinia are cultivated for energy and pulp production.
The number of farms that rely on this management has also increased over the period: from 1,504 farms in 2016 to 1,808 farms four years later.
