Exploring Austria's Dedudus Forest: A Natural Wonder

Austria is known for its diverse landscapes, from mountainous terrain to picturesque lakes. The country boasts an extensive network of protected areas, including national parks, forests, and nature reserves. With a focus on sustainability and biodiversity, Austria's natural reserves cover a range of ecosystems, from forest ecosystems to agroecosystems and heathlands.

One notable forest area in Austria is the Vienna Woods, a range of forested highlands in the northeastern foothills of the Northern Limestone Alps. These woods offer spectacular views and recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike.

In addition to the Vienna Woods, Austria is home to several other impressive forests and nature trails, such as the Olpererhütten Access from Schlegeisspeicher in the Zillertal Alps and the Vorderer and Hinterer Gosausee in the Salzkammergut region.

Forest ecosystems cover 47.7% of Austria

Austria is characterised by its mountainous terrain, with the Alps crossing the country and towering mountain ranges, valleys, forests, meadows, pastures, and lakes. The country is landlocked and shares borders with eight neighbouring countries.

Austria is one of the most densely forested countries in Europe, with forest ecosystems covering 47.7% of the country, or around 48% of its territory, equivalent to 4 million hectares. This makes it the predominant ecosystem in the country, followed by agroecosystems, which occupy 37.7% of the land area.

The Austrian forests are multifunctional entities, providing numerous benefits to the country and its people. They are a source of recreation, offering opportunities for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking. They also protect the country from natural hazards like avalanches and contribute to climate protection by absorbing and storing CO2. The forests are a source of renewable resources, providing wood and contributing to the energy transition. Additionally, they play a role in water conservation, producing pure spring water through their filter function.

The Austrian Forest Report 2023 highlights the effects of climate change on the country's forests, such as extended periods of drought, strong winds, and heatwaves, which make it easier for pests like bark beetles to multiply and cause damage. The report outlines measures to support climate adaptation in the forest industry, funded by the Austrian Forest Fund.

The forests in Austria are predominantly privately owned, with around 137,000 owners, and a quarter of the forest area is owned by women. The most forested federal state is Styria, with 62% forest cover, followed by Carinthia with 61%, Salzburg with 52%, and Upper Austria with 42%.

Austria has a long tradition of establishing and maintaining natural forest reserves

Austria's efforts to protect its forests are evident in the establishment of protected areas, which currently cover a total of km2 on land. These protected areas include Natura 2000 sites and nationally designated areas, with almost half falling exclusively under national laws. Notably, forests constitute the largest portion of these protected areas, covering 50.9% of them.

The country has a strong history of forest conservation, with the establishment and maintenance of natural forest reserves practised for several decades. This initiative has been driven by forest scientists, forest tenants, and forest practitioners, resulting in the creation of numerous reserves. As of 1997, Austria boasted 159 natural forest reserves, spanning a forest area of 6,072 hectares, or 0.15% of the country's total forest area.

The Austrian Natural Forest Reserves Programme, initiated in 1995, aims to establish a representative network of natural forest reserves. This programme is a direct outcome of the Helsinki Resolution H2, which emphasises the conservation of the biodiversity of European forests. The programme's objective is to provide at least one natural forest reserve for each potential natural forest community in the forest ecoregions.

The process of selecting, establishing, and maintaining these reserves is well-defined. It involves voluntary participation from forest owners, who invite experts to assess the suitability of their forests for the programme. Contracts are negotiated, ensuring forest owners refrain from utilising their forest areas in exchange for annual remuneration. These contracts are typically set for 20 years, with the state having the option to extend them.

The network of natural forest reserves in Austria is vast, with 192 individual areas spread across the country, totalling an area of 8,355 hectares—almost the size of a national park. This programme, based on civil-law contracts, requires ongoing support and presents challenges such as addressing breaches of contract and managing conflicts with tourism projects.

The benefits of these natural forest reserves are evident in the form of long-term research opportunities. Permanent sampling plots established nearly 20 years ago enable new evaluations and provide valuable reference points for forest development. These reserves offer insights into deadwood volume, mortality rates, and increment, contributing to our understanding of forest dynamics and biodiversity.

The regular inspection and revision of these natural forest reserves are crucial, and forest owners are actively involved in various processes, including research, excursions, and guided tours. The long-term nature of research in these reserves is yielding valuable insights, and the unique characteristics of each reserve are a source of pride for forest owners, ensuring the long-term viability of the Natural Forest Reserve Programme.

Forest cover has been increasing since 1961

Austria's forest cover has been increasing since 1961, when the Austrian Forest Inventory began. The country's forest area has expanded by six hectares every day over the last decade, amounting to nine times the area of a football field. This growth is reflected in the increase in the total percentage of forest cover, which was 46.2% in 2012 and 46.8% in 1997, rising to 47% in 2020 and 48% in 2023.

Austria's forest cover is essential for the country's sustainability and ecological preservation. The forests play a crucial role in protecting the Alpine region from avalanches, torrents, and mud-rock flows, making it habitable. The country's mountainous terrain, with the Alps covering 62% of its land area, makes forest cover even more significant for conservation and sustainable development.

The Austrian Forest Act, guided by the principle of sustained yields, aims to preserve forests and their functions and social benefits. The Act ensures the conservation of woodland and forest soil, the preservation of productive forest soil capacity, and the assurance of potential yields for future generations. The Act also addresses forest protection, pest and fire control, and the regulation of harvesting.

Austria's forests are predominantly privately owned, with an 81% private share of the forest area. The government actively supports sustainable forest management through initiatives like the Austrian Natural Forest Reserves Programme, which aims to establish a representative network of natural forest reserves. This programme, initiated in 1995, contributes to maintaining and improving forest biodiversity, a fundamental requirement for forest sustainability and effective forest functions.

The Austrian Federal Forest Research Institute plays a crucial role in forest research and providing solutions to forest problems. It continuously monitors the state and development of Austrian forests, addressing issues such as tree species selection, seed testing, and assessment of forest working methods and equipment.

The country's commitment to sustainable forest management is evident through initiatives like the Austrian Forest Report 2023, which highlights the effects of climate change, the role of forests in climate protection, and the importance of protective forests. Austria's efforts to increase forest cover and implement sustainable practices contribute to carbon dioxide sequestration and mitigating the greenhouse effect.

Austria's forests are predominantly coniferous

Austria's forests predominantly consist of coniferous trees, with a high share of conifers at 66.8%. The country's forest cover is extensive, with almost half of its national territory covered in forests. This amounts to around 4 million hectares, with the federal state of Styria having the highest forest cover at 62%.

Austria's forests are a valuable natural resource and provide numerous benefits to the country and its people. They offer recreational opportunities, serve as a source of environmentally friendly raw materials like wood, protect against natural hazards such as avalanches, contribute to climate protection through carbon storage, and produce pure spring water.

The composition of Austria's forests is not uniform across the country. A significant percentage of forests are located on the steep slopes of the Alpine regions and lower mountain ranges. In contrast, areas with low forest cover are found in the warmer eastern regions.

The Austrian Forest Inventory 2000/2002 provides a detailed breakdown of the country's forest composition. According to this inventory, pure coniferous stands account for 62% of the total forest area, while mixed coniferous and deciduous stands make up 15%. Pure deciduous stands, on the other hand, only account for 12% of the total forest area.

The Austrian Forest Report 2023 highlights the importance of sustainable forest management and the preservation and strengthening of biodiversity. It also mentions the positive development of the biodiversity index and the increase in hardwood species, which is beneficial for the resilience of Austrian forests in the face of climate change.

Forest protection is enshrined in Austrian law

Forest protection is a key component of Austrian law. The country has a long tradition of establishing and maintaining natural forest reserves, with almost half of its protected areas designated under national laws. Austria's forest cover, which accounts for around 47% of its total land area, has been increasing over time.

The Austrian Forest Act of 1975, along with the 2002 Forest Reproductive Materials Act and other laws, forms the foundation of the country's forestry policy. This legislation defines protection forests as those that would be eroded by wind, water, and weathering if not for the forest cover, and where reafforestation would be extremely challenging. These forests are preserved through limited utilisation and specific silvicultural measures to maintain their beneficial effects for humans, such as protection, recreation, and economic functions.

The country's Natural Forest Reserves Programme aims to establish at least one natural forest reserve for each potential natural forest community in the forest ecoregions. As of 1997, Austria had 159 natural forest reserves, covering 6,072 hectares or 0.15% of the country's total forest area. The majority of these reserves are located in the Alpine areas, reflecting the country's commitment to conserving and managing these unique ecosystems.

In addition to national laws, Austria is also subject to EU directives for protected areas, such as the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. These directives further enhance the protection of Austria's forests and ensure the conservation of species and habitats within them.

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