Avenues as Landscape Features Worthy of Protection

Tree-lined avenues are a unique natural and cultural heritage of Germany. Shaped by centuries of history and often planted many decades ago, these varied rows of trees provide an important habitat in the agricultural landscape, which has been cleared of trees in many places.

The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is carrying out a research project entitled Avenues as Landscape Features Worthy of Protection – Nationwide Survey and Conservation of Avenues. The project is being fully funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) over a three-year period.

The aim of the project is to compile various survey methods and relevant supporting arguments relating to the protection, renewal and/or replanting of avenues in a practical guide. For the first time, a digital survey based on geodata is to be undertaken to record the location and length of all avenues in Germany. In future, the avenues and rows of trees identified through remote sensing could provide the basis for comparable and comprehensive mapping at regional level throughout Germany. This would provide a more complete picture of avenues in terms of, among other things, tree species, age and vitality, as well as new plantings and losses. Based on existing avenue surveys, a standard method for a nationwide mapping guide is to be developed. Alongside the survey of avenues, the conservation and renewal of existing avenues are also central to the project. To this end, possible sources of funding are to be summarised. Regional tree species are also to be identified and planting techniques presented.

The avenues and rows of trees identified through remote sensing, together with a nationwide mapping guide based on these findings and additional information on funding, tree species and planting techniques, are intended to support the implementation of avenue conservation by the relevant authorities at federal, state, district and municipal level. They will also provide a basis for monitoring avenues.