Projects and research

Policy Brief 1: Potential and limits of European forests in climate change mitigation -

In this policy brief we propose measures to maintain the forest carbon sink strength and provide information for the time horizons for achieving the targets

Unit for Climate Impact Research Coordination

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

HybOakAdapt – Genomics of hybridization in white oaks for climate-adapted Austrian forests - Project

The project, funded by the Climate Energy Fund, investigates white oak species complexes as a model system and the role of hybridization in climate adaptation. A particular focus is on Austria and south-eastern Europe.

Unit for Ecological Genetics

RE-ENFORCE – Transnational Cooperation on nature-based solutions for restoring degraded forests of Central Europe - Project RE-ENFORCE

The forests of Central Europe provide a diverse range of ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, protective functions, biodiversity support, and job creation, while also serving as cost-effective measures for climate protection. However, the effects of climate change are increasingly threatening forest ecosystems and presenting them with major challenges in terms of adapting to changing climatic conditions and protecting biodiversity.

Unit for Forest Growth

Forest Groove – forest biodiversity in harmony - Project "Forest Groove"

When pupils investigate the biodiversity of the forest not with a microscope but with a microphone and create their own sound mixes, then they are part of the innovative Sparkling Science project "Forest Groove" of the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW). The project creatively combines science, environmental education and music.

Unit for Communications & Knowledge Transfer

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

The European network Integrate - Network

As early as the COST Action E27 on the harmonization of protected forest areas (2002-2006), it became clear that protected forest areas in the strict categories account for only around 3% of Europe's forest area. The question therefore remains: what is happening in terms of biodiversity conservation in the remaining 97% of the forest?

Department for Forest Biodiversity & Nature Conservation

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

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

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 […]