Network

Forest ecological research has many faces: biodiversity, genetics, hydrological cycle or nutrient flow. Data has to be collected from one single tree through to the whole landscape to understand what is going on within the Bavarian Forest National Park. Much can only be interpreted when the park is embedded into a global pattern of scientific findings. Therefore, the researchers of the national park cooperate with numerous institutions in Bavaria, Germany, Europe, and all over the world.

At the centre of the research lies the long-term observation of natural developments within the national park as well as reactions of this ecosystem to human influences. In the buffer areas with ongoing forest management, such as bark beetle control measures, additional nature protection experiments are carried out under scientific guidance to renaturate the forest. As a result, species which have been pushed to the brink of extinction are supported - a mission defined in the national park regulations.

Joint scientific publications can be found in leading journals for ecology and nature protection. As a result, the Bavarian Forest National Park has established a reputation in international research. Nowadays, leading experts come to the Bavarian Forest to exchange experience with the local team.

Many research and nature protection projects can only be implemented with additional third-party funds, for example from the German Research Foundation, the German Foundation for the Environment or from EU-programs. Thus, funds and know-how flow into the Bavarian Forest region. Many young researchers have started out in the national park. Today, they work all around the world but are still connected with the national park.