Forest ecology and biodiversity

Forests play an important role in the landscape water balance. They influence groundwater and drinking water supply in quality and quantity. Air pollutants affect the health and growth of forests and affect the diversity of plants and wildlife. The current predictions make an adaptation of forests to the climate of tomorrow necessary. New management systems such as short rotation coppice plantations for woodfuel affect biodiversity in the landscape. These are the main issues we focus our research and consulting work on for the federal government.

The Intensive Forest Monitoring (Level II) is performed within selected forest sites (case studies). Data on relevant parameters are collected periodically or even continuously in order to describe status and development of forest ecosystems.