Projects and research

ALPTREES | Sustainable use and management of non native trees in the alpine region - Decision support system

The use of non-native tree species polarise the opinions of experts and citizens. Adaption to climate change versus invasiveness are factors to be considered in the future management of forests and urban tree populations.

Unit for Forest Biodiversity

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

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

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 Forest Protection Information & Procedures

Sexuality vs. Sexuality Asexuality: The Importance of the Reproduction Mode for the dissemination of species - Ecogeography

As part of an FWF project, Christoph Dobeš examines the importance of the reproductive system for the geographical and ecological distribution of species.

Unit for Ecological Genetics

Exploring ICT solutions for snow and avalanche assessments - Report

The motivation for this exploratory study came from the observed increasing demand for up-to-date information on snow conditions and avalanches in decision-making processes.

Unit for Snow & Avalanches

Climate change adaptation: Opportunities and risks of non-native tree species - Nature conservation

How individual non-native tree species will perform in the Austrian forests in the future will be investigated using, among other things, climate envelope models and in-situ surveys on selected plots.