Click here to directly access the Photo Gallery
Project name: Düsseldorf Swamp Forest Restoration
Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
Method: Tree removal
Third-party audit: Untere Naturschutzbehörde (UNB)
Impact highlights: Biodiversity, water retention, soil restoration

Context: Addressing degrading forests

Decades of forest management have replaced natural wetlands with fast-growing tree plantations, leading to habitat loss and reduced biodiversity. In the project area, unsuitable poplar trees dominate the damp to wet soils, resulting in disease, disappearing wetlands, and a decline in rare species reliant on these ecosystems.

Solution: Resilience in sustainability

This project is removing unsuitable existing trees in order to preserve native tree and shrub species, supporting the return of a near-natural swamp forest. This approach will gradually improve soil quality, increase water retention, and strengthen ecosystem stability, enhancing the area’s ecological health and its ability to support a diverse range of species.

Project area profile

The project area spans approximately 52,000 square meters and is located near two streams, resulting in damp to very wet soils throughout much of the site. Historically, the area has been managed with a 50-year-old poplar plantation that is unsuitable for the wet conditions, with the trees showing signs of disease. The land also features “wet holes,” where water is present above the surface, further influencing the site's ecosystem.

The area, situated within a metropolitan region, is also used recreationally by the local community. The project aims to shift from this unnatural forest stand to a more natural and biodiverse swamp forest ecosystem.

Why a swamp forest?

As the effects of climate change become more frequent, saving disappearing ecosystems like the swamp forest could have long term environmental and urban benefits. Swamp forests can act as a natural water and air purification system and create buffers in flood plains to prevent or dimmish flooding. They provide a unique ecosystem for hundreds of plant and animal species, including a stopover for migratory birds. In addition, they serve as natural groundwater storage.

Supporting biodiversity

This project will support a range of animal species that thrive in healthy swamp forest ecosystems. Many species and several others are expected to benefit from the restoration efforts, such as dragonflies, butterflies, fire salamander, grass snake, yellow-bellied toad, black stork, and common snipe.

Monitoring

To ensure the highest standards of impact and project progress, independent third-party verifiers will closely monitor and evaluate all the aforementioned impacts. In addition, our team of technology and project experts conducts regular site visits, reaffirming our commitment to maintaining exceptional project quality.