Climate-smart forests at the lower tree line: a long-term experiment to evaluate adaptation options under pannonic, summerdry climate conditions

Stockholm

2024

813

Bandaufführung

40005823

About 50% of Austria is covered by forests which include a wide range of forest types and climate conditions. Besides productive montane and subalpine forests, regions with lower elevations in eastern Austria are characterized by low forest shares and continental climate conditions. Yet, the remaining forests have a high cultural and recreational value and are important resources for water supply given the low precipitation and intensive agricultural production. These forests are close to the lower timberline and under increasing temperature conditions they might transform into steppe ecosystems. It is therefore of high importance to maintain the forested sites
and the ecosystem services they provide.