Volunteers and local stakeholders are reshaping the Oberhochreit Alm in Maria Alm, Pinzgau, removing shallow-rooted spruce trees to secure a long-term water supply following an unusually dry summer.
Climate Pressures and the Water Crisis on Alpine Pastures
Following a summer that brought acute dryness even to high elevations, alpine land managers face mounting challenges regarding long-term water availability. Fichten, or Norway spruces, have populated the area through natural regeneration in recent years. However, these trees are shallow-rooted and extract comparatively high volumes of moisture from the soil, according to site observations. This heavy water extraction leaves pastures vulnerable while simultaneously increasing the susceptibility of the trees to windthrow during heavy storms.
To reverse this trend, a dedicated Bergwaldprojekt is underway on the 1,800-meter-high slopes. Volunteers work in steep terrain to clear unwanted bushes, shrubs, and young trees—a traditional landscape management technique known locally as “Schwenden.” Almbesitzer Dominik Widauer explained that removing these spruces allows larch trees to receive vital light and water, setting the stage for a resilient larch pasture adapted to shifting climatic conditions.
Volunteer Dedication and Labor Shortages
Physical conservation work on high-altitude pastures relies heavily on citizen participation. The volunteer week on the Oberhochreit Alm operates on a basis of room and board in exchange for intensive labor. High public interest drove rapid enrollment for the initiative, with all seven available slots for the working week filling up on the very first day. Without this crucial volunteer support, project organizers note that executing such large-scale clearing operations would remain nearly impossible.
Karl Ehrlenbach, one of the participants on-site, described the value of the hands-on labor. “Es ist ein gutes Gefühl, etwas für die Umwelt zu tun,” Ehrlenbach remarked regarding his motivation to give back to the ecosystem. He added that clearing the overgrowth is essential for securing the long-term future of regional grazing practices.
Did You Know? The traditional practice of “Schwenden” involves systematically clearing unwanted bushes, shrubs, and young trees from pastures to maintain open grazing land and protect the ecological balance of alpine environments.
Soil Stabilization and Future Planting Strategies
Addressing soil stability remains a central objective for the coming phases of the initiative. Unlike shallow-rooted spruces, larches develop deep root systems capable of anchoring the steep alpine soil much more effectively against erosion and shifting weather patterns. Property owners plan to introduce new larch and stone pine (Zirbe) saplings next year to permanently replace the cleared growth and establish a durable mixed canopy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main reason for removing spruce trees on the Oberhochreit Alm?
Spruces are shallow-rooted trees that extract high amounts of water from the soil and increase vulnerability to windthrow, prompting their removal to conserve scarce water resources.
How are the landscape maintenance tasks being carried out?
The work is executed by volunteer participants working in exchange for room and board as part of a structured Bergwaldprojekt.
What tree species will replace the cleared spruces?
Larches and stone pines are scheduled to be planted next year to better stabilize the soil and adapt the landscape to changing climatic conditions.
How might shifting weather patterns alter traditional alpine farming methods in the coming decade?