Symposium’s Mission and Aim

We’re witnessing significant habitat changes, which have crucial impact on abundance and development of different tree species in affected forest associations. European beech is important species in Central and Southern Europe where it holds dominant position according to its overall portion in wood stock and its economic value. European beech forests are important ecological base and their economic role same as the value of theirs other forest goods and services are very high. Although the areas of species’ distribution within its natural habitat are diminished by various human activities and needs, nevertheless beech forests still manage to preserve their natural forest structure and the ability of natural rejuvenation.

By presenting the results of different studies through papers and posters this Symposium aims to encompass the overall problem-analysis related to European beech as well as the plant-associations where it appears. This would surely provide an overview of forest-associations, taxonomy, morphology, species distribution, an insight into ecological constitution, eco-physiological characteristics and damage-assessment, biotic and non-biotic factors, tree-breeding potential and problems of reproduction material production, reforestation, and silviculture practices. It is also vital to understand the taxation elements, growth and increment of European beech, specie’s utilization opportunities, its technological characteristics and usage of beech timber.

However due to climate change we’re witnessing and in order to stress the necessity of joint discussion on threats that could also have a disastrous impact on beech ecosystems, both Croatian and Hungarian Forest Research Institutes decided to organize FAGUS 2010 Symposium with the hope that it shall lead to stronger perception of vital problems that affect beech nowadays and the necessity of its further analysis in order to avoid potential risks and provide adequate answers.