Research

The forests of Central Europe are under considerable pressure to adapt due to climate change, periods of drought, and an increase in large-scale pest infestations. Despite the growing interest in broadleaf timber, coniferous species remain indispensable due to their high economic importance. The aim of the project is therefore to systematically assess the adaptive variation and adaptability of key coniferous species - Norway spruce (Picea abies), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), black pine (Pinus nigra), and cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani)-and to make this information usable for silvicultural decisions. To do this, classic provenance trials are combined with modern genomic approaches to comprehensively characterize genetic and phenotypic variation. Climate chamber tests under simulated extreme conditions allow for the identification of provenance-specific adaptation patterns and their genetic basis. The project pursues an integrative approach that equally considers genetic variation, adaptability, and the practical availability of high-quality planting stock. The resulting recommendations on provenances and varieties provide directly applicable knowledge for sustainable forest management and will contribute significantly to making Central Europe's forests more resilient to the challenges of climate change.

Forest regeneration is a key issue in adaptive forest management. In several districts in the province of Carinthia 90 pairs of regeneration plots, one fenced, one unfenced, had been installed some years ago to monitor the regeneration success on areas in protective forests disturbed by storm and bark beetle infestations. The current project implements a measurement of the plots including analysis of browsing impact. Conclusions on wildlife management can then be drawn from the results.

The project aims to improve forest resilience in the municipalities of Bad Fischau-Brunn and Willendorf. The Fischauer Vorberge hills lie south of Vienna and are characterised by black pine forests, which are coming under increasing pressure from climate change and pest infestations. The forests border residential areas and are subject to a variety of ownership structures and land-use patterns. The project aims to develop a strategy to improve forest resilience and preserve forest ecosystem services in the municipalities. It involves assessing the current state of the forests, analysing climatic and site-specific conditions, evaluating forest ecosystem services, and identifying forest fire risk hotspots. A key component is the participatory involvement of stakeholders (forest owners, hunters, residents living near forests, public institutions) to identify their goals and expectations through workshops. Based on the results, management plans will be developed that include sustainable measures to improve forest health and reduce forest disturbances, particularly forest fires. The aim is to promote biodiversity and safeguard forest ecosystem services in the long term. The results will be compiled in the form of management plans and recommendations for action, with the involvement of the research activities of students’s.