Forest Playtime Germete

Germete - 1000 Years of Cultural History

Originally founded as a small village in the Diemel valley,
Germete has changed not only the village itself but also the surrounding
landscape over its more than 1000-year history.
This is particularly evident in the forest
and countryside. Due to increased demand for wood in various
wars, after fires, and currently due to
climate change, "the forest" constantly presents itself
in a new guise. Over the centuries, agriculture has also undergone a transformation:
Due to increasing mechanization,
larger fields with a limited
selection of crops emerged. Ultimately, the development
of mineral water sources around 1900 led to a kind of industrialization
of the village, which is still reflected in the village today.

Looking to the Future

The extreme drought of recent years has severely affected the forest
and the bark beetle has destroyed many spruce stands,
so new management concepts with different tree species are being tested. Since there is great interest in making the forest fit for the future, the village community also supports reforestation efforts.
Climate change and the associated irregularities
in rainfall amounts also require a different approach to agriculture. Greater crop diversity can
increase yield security. This too will continue to shape the landscape.