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Strengthening forestry in Kosovo - International

From August 18 to 22, a five-day training course was held in Kosovo for 38 participants from the Kosovo Forest Agency (KFA) and inspectors from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The aim of the event was to deepen knowledge and experience in the field of sustainable and multifunctional forest management and to promote professional exchange.

Unit for Forest Society & International Relations
Kleine Sämlinge stehen in einer Anzuchtumgebung

How the Norway Spruce Defends Itself at the Molecular Level -

The research project FICHTETRON investigates how the Norway spruce (Picea abies) responds on a molecular level to the bark beetle species Ips typographus. The aim is to develop a standardized method for analyzing plant defense mechanisms under controlled conditions.

Department for Forest Growth, Silviculture & Genetics
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
Ansicht

Innovation in avalanche protection: umbrella nets for snowpack stabilization - Project

Several installed umbrella nets have shown damage due to overloading. This raises the question of which typical damage patterns occur in the structure and what types and magnitudes of loads cause them. How can such damage be prevented? Additionally, it is essential to determine the required maintenance and repair measures, as well as the expected lifespan of the system.

Unit for Snow & Avalanches
Vogelperspektive auf FAST Traunkirchen mit Traunsee im Hintergrund

Summer School on Assisted Migration 2025 - Summer Academy

Together with EVOLTREE and the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU), BFW is organizing a five-day summer school at the Forestry Training Centre in Traunkirchen from 28 July to 1 August 2025.

Department for Forest Growth, Silviculture & Genetics
Wald mit kahlen Flächen durch Borkenkäferbefall im Mölltal

Austria’s forests affected by adverse climate conditions -

Austrian Forest Inventory 2018-2023 shows effects of climate change and emphasises the importance of active forest management.

Department for Forest Inventory
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
Green larvae of the box tree moth

Box tree moth harming garden shrubs - Management strategy

Experts from the European Union and the Black Sea region discuss about measures taken against the aggressive moth. Soon infected box trees will be located again at cemeteries and in private gardens. The plant pest is easy to identify by the typical feeding pattern. The moth species is a well known pest in Austria and […]

Unit for Entomology and Forest Protection Procedures
Ansicht

Innovation in avalanche protection: umbrella nets for snowpack stabilization - Project

Several installed umbrella nets have shown damage due to overloading. This raises the question of which typical damage patterns occur in the structure and what types and magnitudes of loads cause them. How can such damage be prevented? Additionally, it is essential to determine the required maintenance and repair measures, as well as the expected lifespan of the system.

Unit for Snow & Avalanches

SUSTREE: Science based solutions and decision-support tools for adapting forests to climate change - SusSelect App

Climate change is likely to alter the future growth capacity of European forests in providing vital ecosystem services. Adaptive management aiming at reducing vulnerability and enhancing the resilience of forest ecosystems is a key to preserve the potential of forests.

Department for Forest Growth, Silviculture & Genetics
Flowers of Parkia biglobosa Foto: Marco Schmidt, CC BY-SA 3.0

Making Chromosomes Visible - Forest genetics

Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean) or Néré is a versatile tree species in Africa. Among other things, it has been and is the subject of a series of genetic examinations and provenance trials with the aim of selecting more drought-resistant forms. Despite all types of interest in this tree species, we have only poor knowledge […]

Unit for Provenance Research & Breeding