Research within the group is conducted on resilience and resistance of tree species against biotic and abiotic detrimental factors, as well as, on the assessment of forest reproductive material. Investigated are interactions between pathogens and forest tree species, resistance mechanisms and genetically determined host-pathogen specificity. In addition, the impacts of pathogen infestations are investigated in tree nurseries, as well as on the stability and genetic structure of forest tree populations. One research area within the group concerns approaches for evaluating seed quality. Hereby, new methods for quality assessment are developed for forest seed lots.