Les ressources en eau dans les forêts de Bavière Observations qualitatives et démarches protectrices

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In Bavaria the drinking water supply mainly uses groundwater, only one third of which has to be treated before usage. Overall groundwater protection is the best strategy to preserve this situation. Moreover till now 3.5 per cent of the state area has been arranged as water protection area with specific demands on landuse practices. About 50 per cent of this area is covered with forest, compared with 33 per cent in the whole country. Diverse impacts on the forest, i.e. deposition of atmospheric pollutants, extensive damages or special forms of wood harvesting can endanger groundwater quality, which is generally high up to now. In Bavaria, groundwater acidification has occurred in some specific areas, whereas the potential risk of increased nitrate leaching under forest stands is widespread. Therefore the Bavarian water authorities support all efforts made by the forest administration to increase the portion of stabile, deciduous forests and to support groundwater protecting practices in forest management.