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Forest is developing positively overall

Austria's forests are changing. The interim evaluation of the Austrian Forest Inventory 2016/18 shows a trend towards mixed stands rich in hardwood and more natural forest management:

“While the area planted with coniferous forest has decreased by around 30 hectares in the past 290.000 years, the deciduous forest area has increased by 130.000 hectares. The biodiversity index for the forest shows a positive trend overall for tree species diversity, deadwood and veteran trees. "

Nevertheless, there are numerous endangered biotope types and species in the forest, especially due to climate change: Of the 93 forest biotope types in Austria, 53 are assigned to a hazard category. "Due to the progressive loss of biodiversity, further measures must be taken in forest management in order to maintain or increase biodiversity," says Professor Reinhold Christian, Chairman of Umwelt Management Austria (UMA) and President of the Science & Environment Forum (FWU). "The key to both the choice of tree species and genetics, structures and habitats lies in increasing diversity," emphasizes Franz Titschenbacher, President of the Austrian Biomass Association (ÖBMV). In addition, "adapted hoofed game management (...) is absolutely necessary to ensure natural regeneration of mixed tree species."

Almost half of Austria's total area is now covered with forest. In the past ten years, the forested area has increased by an average of 3.400 hectares per year, which corresponds to 4.762 soccer fields.

Photo by Yves Moret on Unsplash

ON THE CONTRIBUTION TO OPTION AUSTRIA

Written by Karin Bornett

Freelance journalist and blogger in the Community option. Technology-loving Labrador smoking with a passion for village idyll and a soft spot for urban culture.
www.karinbornett.at

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