Upper Elbe Valley / Eastern Erzgebirge - KLIMAfit | Umweltbundesamt

Climate projections are provided by the German Meteorological Office (DWD).

temperature threshold days, snow volume, extreme weather

According to climate projections for Saxony, in future the model region will be affected by an increase in the mean annual temperature and extremely hot summer days, and by a reduction in summer precipitation, particularly in the lowlands and hills. At the same time, indicators of an increase in extreme weather can be identified.

This results in the following possible effects in different areas:

• Agriculture: Increased risk of erosion, particularly on highlands and hills as a result of increased heavy precipitation; increased yield on highlands due higher temperatures combined with adequate precipitation; loss of yield on lowlands and hills due to longer dry periods.
• Forestry: Stress from heat and dryness due to increase in dry weather; increased susceptibility to harm; increasing risk of forest fires particularly on lowlands and hills.
• Nature and landscape: Risk to water-dependent habitats on lowlands and hills due to temperature increase and low summer precipitation; outward migration of moisture-reliant species.
• Water management: Reduced capacity of reservoirs in Eastern Erzgebirge due to lower inflows; smaller watercourses running dry in long dry periods; no regeneration of groundwater
• Flood risk: Possible increase due to more frequent / more intensive heavy rain events, particularly on highlands.
• Tourism: Restrictions in winter sport areas due to less reliable snowfall; increase in importance of regions surrounding larger towns as local recreation areas, especially in summer; extension of summer season
• Settlement/housing: Health burden in densely populated areas due to summer temperature increases, heat stress and lack of fresh air.

A regional plan has been developed that includes adaptation methods in the form of planning arrangements, e.g. arrangements for forest conversion, forest expansion, areas to retain and improve water retention, flood protection priority and reserved areas, priority and reserved areas for water resources and safeguarding of fresh and cold air generating areas and drainage routes. A policy paper has also been produced, containing conclusions for the ongoing development of formal and informal instruments in the planning region. In addition, guidelines focusing on implementation of regional planning strategies for climate change in selected fields of activity have been drawn up.