Climate change poses major challenges to forestry, forests cannot adapt quickly enough to the changes everywhere. Therefore, within the framework of the cooperation project “Cedrus4Clim” with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku) Vienna, it is being investigated whether and which cedar species in this country could be the trees of the future.
The first test areas in Upper Austria have been established in Aistersheim in Upper Austria, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture involved in the project announced on Monday. The aim of the project is to investigate whether Lebanon and Atlas cedar are suitable for cultivation in Austria – or trees whose provenance would be most suitable – and, if necessary, to secure the supply of seeds. To this end, various test areas are being set up in Burgenland, Lower Austria and Upper Austria.
Cedar of Lebanon as a beacon of hope
Hope rests primarily on the cedar of Lebanon, which is native to Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. It tolerates longer dry seasons and hot summers, and experts expect it would do well in this country. So far, it has only rarely been planted in Central Europe, but the first attempts in Bavaria make foresters optimistic: Due to the higher rainfall compared to its homeland, the Lebanon cedar has shown good growth, according to the press release.
Currently afforestation with native species
At present, reforestation is mainly based on native tree species to defy the demands of climate change. “In addition, it will also be necessary to investigate tree species that can already grow today under the climatic conditions of tomorrow,” explains Franz Waldenberger, president of the Upper Austrian Agricultural Chamber, the basic idea of the project.
“The combination of a series of test areas along an east-west gradient across three federal states, which is planned for the first time in this project for Central Europe, will not only be able to present initial recommendations of origin in a timely manner, but will also provide the basis for a safe supply of high-quality seeds and seed crops to domestic forestry Seedlings”, project manager Raphael Klumpp, professor at the Institute of Forestry in Boku, is optimistic.
According to Klumpp, the Lebanon cedar is of great importance, both for ecological reasons for the preservation of the forest and for the forestry and timber industry in Austria.
Source: Krone
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