The European black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) is a widely distributed and ecologically versatile conifer. Its resilience to drought, frost and nutrient-poor soils makes it a promising candidate for climate-adaptive forest management, particularly in Central Europe. This study examines variability in provenance and survival of seedlings from 21 European sources, with a focus on morphological traits, biomass allocation and age-related differences over two cohorts, representing two different sowing years (2008 and 2018). Shoot length, root collar diameter, and above-and below-ground biomass were measured to evaluate intraspecific variation and phenotypic plasticity. Latitude was found to have the strongest influence on biomass allocation, with above-ground biomass increasing and root biomass decreasing towards higher latitudes. Height decreased with elevation, reflecting adaptation to resource-limited high-altitude environments. Comparisons between cohorts revealed stable variability in root traits, but a marked reduction in variability of height from sowing year 2008 to sowing year 2018 seedlings. Field trials also showed that bigger seedlings (sowing year 2018) had a higher survival rate, with root collar diameter emerging as the strongest predictor of survival across age classes. By linking trait development across seedling cohorts with provenance-specific differences, this study provides valuable information for evaluating seedling quality and identifying suitable provenances to promote the establishment of resilient P. nigra populations in changing environmental conditions.
Forest biodiversity, habitat value and carbon sinks are strongly linked to deadwood quantity (stocks) and quality (decay class). Repeated measurements of unmanaged forests allow to quantify the natural range of deadwood properties for different ecosystems and describe the dynamics overtime, which can support recommendations in conservation and carbon management. In our study we repeatedly investigated the growing stock and deadwood conditions in six natural forest reserves (NFR) in Austria using 167 permanent monitoring plots to examine the changes over time. Apart from one, all studied NFR showed constant live tree volume stocks non-significantly changing over 12 years, with a highly variable small tree density, suggesting that these forests are in optimal to climax/terminal phase. Standing deadwood stocks, including stump deadwood, have been increasing in all but one NFR and lying deadwood stocks increased in all but two NFRs. Summarizing measured above ground deadwood and live volume and using deadwood density and carbon fraction data from literature suggest that two NFRs are on average accumulating carbon at about +1 tC/ha per year, and two NFRs have decreasing live and dead carbon stocks at-0.2 to-0.4 tC/ha per year. A consistent relationship between time since death (TSD) and decay class (DC) was found across all sites. Based on the relations between TSD and DC, a model for future deadwood volumes in different decay classes in Norway Spruce-dominated forests is made. Recommendations for future research and monitoring in NFR are given.
Accelerating biodiversity loss under intensifying climate and anthropogenic pressures underscores the urgent need for forest biodiversity indicators than can assess ecosystem status, pressures, and management responses. We reviewed national forest and biodiversity reports from countries of the UNECE region, identifying 106 forest biodiversity indicators, many absent in international and national reporting systems. Classification using the OECD Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework reveals a clear dominance of State indicators (72%), while Response (18%) and Pressure indicators (10%) are underrepresented. This limits the ability to trace causal chains and assess management effectiveness. We assessed data accessibility using a standardised typology (from reported to deficient), finding relatively better coverage for fragmentation, tree species diversity, native and introduced species, protected areas, deadwood, and natural regeneration, but gaps for old-growth forests, habitat trees, and forest birds. High climate sensitivity was identified for 16 indicators responsive to temperature and precipitation shifts, disturbance regimes, and habitat change. To translate findings into practice, we propose a concise workflow for revising indicator sets: identification of priorities of current EU policies, displaying causal-chains with the PSR indicator category assignment to strengthen the Pressure and Response coverage, prioritisation of climate-sensitive indicators, data-availability screening, and stakeholder co-design. Our findings support the Forest Europe indicator revision process and provided a pool of additional and novel indicators for revising Austria's national biodiversity indicators. in Austria, ten of the twelve forest biodiversity indicators were amended to include climate-sensitive sub-indicators, and three new indicators were added (Forest birds, Habitat trees, Structural diversity). Strengthening the coverage of Pressure and Response indicators, prioritising climate-sensitive indicators and feeding predictive modelling with additional State indicators can shift biodiversity monitoring from retrospective reporting to anticipatory, decision-supportive management under accelerating climate change.
This research presents the development of a reliable system for predicting the total stem volume of Scots pine (Pinussylvestris L.) trees by building models for estimating the mean diameter reduction factor (alpha). Using easily measured in-field variables as independent variables, the construction of regression models that best fit a representative sample of trees from the mountainous complex of the Pieria Mountains was investigated. The evaluation of these models was based on a set of fit criteria, including R-adj(2), SEE, Bias,AIC, BIC, VIF, and residual distribution.The results showed that the proposed model estimates (alpha) with acceptable accuracy (SEE = 0.187, R-adj (2)= 0.839). Ultimately, the proposed system for predicting total stem volume will support more effective and sustainable forest management. By providing accurate estimates of standing wood volume based solely on stump diameter, it offers a practical, efficient tool for reliable volumetric assessment.
The forest based bioeconomy has become a strategic priority in the European Union (EU); however, substantial disparities persist among Member States. This study eva luates Greece's performance in the forestry sector of the bioeconomy over the period 2008-2023, using harmonized data from the European Commission's Bioeconomy Country Dashboard. Three core economic indicators-turnover, value added at fac tor cost, and employment-are analyzed, with turnover and value added additionally expressed on a per employee basis to enhance comparability. The results indicate a persistent and widening performance gap between Greece and the EU27 average. Turnover per employee in the forestry sector declined by almost 45% between 2008 and 2023, while value added per employee decreased by more than 50%, contrasting sharply with strong upward trends observed at the EU level. Although total employ ment in the forestry sector of bioeconomy in Greece increased over the period, the sector's contribution to total bioeconomy employment remained limited, reaching only 1.43% in 2023, compared with approximately 2.6-3.1% in the EU27. These outcomes reflect longstanding structural and institutional constraints, including fragmented forest ownership, low timber mobilization, outdated technologies, and limited innovation capacity, which have been exacerbated by external shocks such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID19 pandemic. Comparative evidence from Northern European countries highlights the importance of coherent national strate gies, technological upgrading, and coordinated policy frameworks. The study conclu des that the development of a National Bioeconomy Strategy, supported by impro ved monitoring mechanisms and targeted investments, is essential for enhancing the contribution of the forest sector to sustainable regional development in Greece and for strengthening the competitiveness of the forest based bioeconomy.
