Heat alarm in the Haßberge: Nature is suffering from extreme drought!

Heat alarm in the Haßberge: Nature is suffering from extreme drought!

It will be hot again next weekend in the Haßberge district, and this heat is causing acute problems in the region. The landscape suffers from persistent drought, which has a significant impact on people, animals and nature. The serious situation is already clear in the meadows and forests. The Gebrünnsee natural monument near Westheim was affected by extreme drought in 2022 and there are great fears that this situation could repeat itself. np-coburg.de reports that these weather extremes are not isolated, but rather part of a larger climate pattern.

How is the rainfall? A look at the reports from the German Weather Service (DWD) shows that Germany has experienced one of the driest periods since 1931 in recent months. March 2025 was one of the driest since 1881, with only 21% of usual precipitation. Even in the less dry May, only around 48 l/m² of precipitation fell. These developments are worrying many farmers, who are increasingly reliant on artificial irrigation due to the ongoing drought. Umweltbundesamt.de explains that drought not only puts a strain on agriculture, but also severely affects ecosystems and water availability.

The effects of heat on people and nature

The ongoing drought is not only affecting agricultural yields, but is also causing ecological damage. According to the Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND), there are increasing signs of falling river levels and an increased risk of forest fires in many parts of the country. Spring rain, so important for the renewal of habitats and soils, has failed to materialize in recent months. Insects and animals that rely on moist habitats are particularly affected by the extreme conditions. deutschlandfunk.de highlights that this is not just a regional problem, but that the whole of Europe is affected by similar developments.

Embedded in a larger context, the drought in Germany emerges as part of a European pattern that is being exacerbated by climate change. The average temperature in Europe in 2024 was almost three degrees above pre-industrial levels. The weather extremes in Germany are just one example of how complex and complicated the effects of climate change are. The call for measures to restore damaged habitats and strengthen biological diversity is constantly growing louder.

A call to mindfulness

In this tense situation, it is important that citizens use water responsibly. Garden watering tips and awareness of the needs of city and street trees are now more in demand than ever. Many people are not aware that 70% of drinking water in Germany comes from groundwater and spring water - long-term dry periods can therefore also put a strain on the drinking water supply. Local political adaptation strategies are required here to ensure water supplies even in times of drought.

All in all, we see that nature and its condition have direct consequences for all of us. In order to master the coming challenges, a good knack for using resources and the willingness to implement protective measures are essential. This is the only way the wonderful Bavarian landscape can be preserved for future generations.