Climate Change Threatens Iconic Sanssouci Park in Potsdam

The picturesque Sanssouci Palace and its surrounding park in Potsdam, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are facing significant challenges due to climate change. While the park's avenues, monuments, and gardens appear stunning, the health of its trees is deteriorating. Sven Kerschek, a former chief gardener, notes alarming changes over the past three decades, including thinning crowns and fallen branches among the beech trees. Despite recent wet summers, the trees are struggling against harsh sunlight, low humidity, storms, and increasing fungal infections. In response to these challenges, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation has launched an open-air exhibition titled “Re:Generation.” This initiative aims to raise awareness about the visible impacts of climate change within the park. Curator Katrin Schröder emphasizes that the exhibition highlights the urgent issues faced by the trees, which are not only confined to flood-prone areas but also affect serene locations like Sanssouci Park. Visitors to the park can observe trees suffering from “sunburn,” characterized by drying and peeling bark, which makes them susceptible to pests and diseases. Despite these challenges, the park's oldest trees, some around 300 years old, offer a glimmer of hope. The foundation is exploring the possibility of introducing tree varieties from hotter regions, such as southeastern Europe, to enhance resilience while maintaining the park's aesthetic integrity. The expansive park, covering nearly 300 hectares and employing around 60 gardeners, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. The foundation aims to preserve its historical character while adapting to the realities of a changing climate.