Potsdam's Sanssouci Park Faces Climate Change Challenges

POTSDAM, Germany — The picturesque Sanssouci Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site surrounding the iconic Sanssouci Palace, is grappling with the adverse effects of climate change. While the park's avenues and gardens appear stunning, a closer inspection reveals significant distress among its trees. Beech trees exhibit thinning crowns, fallen branches, and bark peeling off their trunks, symptoms of a broader environmental crisis exacerbated by extreme weather conditions. The region has experienced a series of hot and dry summers, particularly in 2018, which have led to a concerning decline in tree health. Despite some wetter summers recently, the cumulative effects of harsh sunlight, low humidity, storms, and the introduction of invasive insect species have continued to stress the park's flora. Between 2002 and 2015, the park lost between 18 and 87 trees annually, with losses peaking at 315 in 2020. In response to these challenges, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation has launched an open-air exhibition titled “Re:Generation.” Curator Katrin Schröder hopes the exhibition will raise awareness about the visible impacts of climate change, not only in vulnerable areas but also in seemingly idyllic locations like Sanssouci Park. Visitors can observe trees suffering from “sunburn,” which makes them susceptible to further damage. To combat these issues, the foundation is considering introducing tree varieties from regions with similar climates, such as southeastern Europe, while maintaining the park's aesthetic integrity. The goal is to preserve the historical character of Sanssouci while adapting to the changing environmental landscape.