Representatives from Czech and Saxon forestry research met together in the Ore Mountains
On October 20-21, 2025, representatives from the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute (VÚLHM) met with their colleagues from the Competence Centre for Forestry, a similar research institution under the Saxon State Forests, in Olbernhau, located in the Ore Mountains. This marked the fourth joint seminar since 2017, where participants discussed not only collaborative activities in the Ore Mountains and surrounding border areas but also the current challenges facing the forestry sector that should be addressed by forestry research.
Photo: Participants of the seminar held in Olbernhau, VÚLHM archive
The expert program included contributions from the field of genetics related to forest tree species populations. This encompassed efforts to identify genotypes of resistant individuals and to ensure both species diversity and sufficient genetic variation within forests. Forest Protection Service workers from both countries reported on the current state of forest protection, highlighting existing or emerging species of pests and pathogens whose activity may increase due to changing climatic conditions. In the field of game management, forestry scientists presented findings from detailed monitoring of deer populations in the Ore Mountains. They discussed management proposals and a joint project aimed at supporting the grouse population in this border region.
During the afternoon session, participants explored the results of long-term monitoring regarding the health and nutrition of forest stands in the Ore Mountains. They also discussed new functional procedures for forest restoration, training, and reconstruction, to achieve greater species and spatial diversity of stands within a reasonable period. Czech scientists particularly focused on methods for the multi-phase restoration of clearings affected by the bark beetle disaster, utilising preparatory and pioneer tree species. Meanwhile, their partners from Saxony highlighted methods for reconstructing original same-age spruce stands, which have predominantly been transformed into multi-storey stands in most state forests.
Tuesday’s excursion focused on long-term monitoring, silviculture, and the restoration of spruce, beech, and mixed stands in the Ore Mountains.
The growing number of joint projects presented at the event highlights the strengthening collaboration between both institutions. A collection of contributions from the workshop is set to be published in early 2026 and will also be available on the VULHM website. This meeting was supported by the Interreg Czech-Saxony program.
Contact for more information: doc. Ing. Vít Šrámek, Ph.D., e-mail: sramek@vulhm.cz
Photo: Excursion to the forests of the Ore Mountains, VÚLHM archive