Primary forests of Europe’s temperate zone play an important role in providing key ecosystem functions to our society. Primary forests also provide habitat for many species that help maintain biodiversity. Institutions and individuals behind the REMOTE (REsearch on MOuntain TEmperate) Primary Forests project help enhance our understanding of unique primary forests over long periods of time by means of various activities including research, public outreach, and education.

Primary forests in Slovakia finally received adequate protection

After many years of efforts by biologists in Slovakia, the “Pralesy Slovenska“ reservation will be established on December 1, 2021. The proposal to declare it a reservation was approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic on November 3, 2021. Our REMOTE team contributed to this effort through the many permanent research plots we have established in Slovakia.

Large strictly protected forest landscapes will help maintain both biodiversity and long-term carbon storage

There is a growing need for research to better understand the ecological and socio-economic impacts of increasingly intense environmental changes, such as natural disturbances, globally. An international scientific team led by scientists from the Department of Forest Ecology focused on these natural events over the past 250 years, and they examined how those events have influenced current biodiversity indicators and the carbon cycle in primary forests.