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Gruppenfoto der Teilnehmer:Innen in einer Halle vor einem großen Weihnachtsbaum

OptFORESTS project to enhance diversity and resilience of future European forests - Project OptFORESTS

The 5-year project aims to support the protection and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe in the face of environmental and societal challenges.

Unit for Ecological Genetics
Waldbrand

A red-hot future for Austria’s forests - Project Austria Fire Futures

In the future, the risk of forest fire will be a permanent threat of summer in Austria as well. How we can better deal with it is being researched in the Austria Fire Futures project.

Unit for Remote Sensing
Harvester im Einsatz

Better harvesting with the right technology - Project HOBO

Mechanised forestry makes management much easier, but not every harvesting method is suitable for all sites. The HOBO project makes the various possibilities and their aptitudes visible.

Unit for Soil Ecology
Bäume werden

Bark-BeAT aims to simplify risk assessment of spruce sites - Project Bark-BeAT

Global warming does not make silvicultural decisions any easier, and the catastrophes of recent years have increased the uncertainties. The Bark-BeAT project aims to help.

Unit for Soil Ecology
Wald mit mehreren Douglasien

Correctly assessing non-native tree species in the Alpine region - ALPTREES Project

Robinia, Douglas fir and red oak were introduced to Europe several hundred years ago and are among the 530 tree species that are non-native to Europe. The international ALPTREES project has developed a risk assessment system for this purpose and published manuals on the management of non-native tree species in forests and urban areas.

Department for Forest Biodiversity & Nature Conservation
Aufsicht auf eine Berglandschaft mit vielen gefallenen Bäumen

Transboundary Storm Risk and Impact Assessment in Alpine Regions - TRANS-ALP Project

In the framework of the UCPM project TRANS-ALP institutions from Italy and Austria are working together to improve the impact prediction of storm events for the area Trentino-Alto Adige/South Tyrol, Veneto as well as East Tyrol and the respective bordering regions.

Department for Natural Hazards

Research institutes highlight the importance of forests for the prosperity and competitiveness of Europe - IUFRO Congress

Europe can get much more from its forests, say five European forest research institutes. For this, Europe needs to build innovative industrial systems that can rely on sustainable sourcing from European forests.

Gruppenfoto der Teilnehmenden des Instituts für Naturgefahren an der INAC-Konferenz

First Inter-Alpine Natural Hazards Conference successfully carried out - Conference INAC

The first Inter-Alpine Natural Hazards Conference (INAC) took place in Innsbruck from May 5 to 7, 2025. Over 100 experts from Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Norway and Switzerland participated in the event. They came from the fields of science, industry, infrastructure and technology.

Unit for Snow & Avalanches
Ein Löschhubschrauber fliegt über einem Wald und löscht einen Brand.

Research group investigates the behaviour of forest fires - Project EMERGE

Forest fires have so far been a marginal topic in Austria, but in the future an increase in such events is expected. A group of researchers is currently investigating how the behaviour of fires in forests can be better assessed.

Unit for Remote Sensing
Test area in the Region Wienerwald

Austrian pine fit for climate change? - New test site

Climate projections forecast a rise of the Earth’s average temperature of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius until the year 2100. The prognosis for Austria is an increase of 3.5 degrees Celsius until 2100 (Österreichischer Sachstandsbericht zum Klimawandel, 2014). This will also lead to new challenges in the forestry sector. Sustainable managed forests and the utilization […]

Unit for Forest Growth
Spruce in small container

Forest Genetics: Preserving the Spruce Tree - Climate change

The research initiative “Green Heritage” was launched to improve the production base and stand security for the spruce tree in Austria permanently. For this purpose, the genetic background is investigated for certain properties, in order to develop markers which, in turn, can be used for genetically supported breeding strategies. This research project at BFW is […]

Unit for Ecological Genetics

BFW supporting a harmonized assessment of forest availability for wood supply in Europe - USEWOOD

A new definition on forests available for wood supply has been found! BFW together with partner institutions recently published a paper on this topic.

Unit for Inventory Design & Analysis