Zum Kiefernsterben in Niederoesterreich

Wien

1996

Unselbständiges Werk

12531

200051627

Since 1990 a significant increase in the decline of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) has been observed in eastern parts of Austria. Till 1995 up to 49.2% of pine trees died specially in dry, south - to southwest - exposed forest stands. In practically all dying Pinus sylvestris trees sapwood nematodes (Bursaphelenchus mucronatus) were observed in high numbers; only few nematodes were isolated out of Pinus nigra. Long-lasting drought periods seem to have weakened the pine trees which were killed by a complex of insects. Phaenops cyanea, Pissodes piniphilus and Ips acuminatus played the most important role in Scots pine, whereas microfungi like Sphaeropsis sapinea and Cenangium ferruginosum and the bark beetle Pityogenes bistridentatus actively infested Austrian pines.