Senior Researcher phd. eng. Any Mary Petritan

BIOFORMA has two main objectives:

(1) To assess the effects of different forest management scenarios, in the context of climate change, on the biodiversity and ecosystem functions of mountain forests dominated by Norway spruce.
(2) To provide stakeholders with recommendations on adaptive management options for these forest ecosystems.

Metodology

To achieve these objectives, a detailed inventory of forest structure will be conducted in 500 sample plots across 100 forest stands, covering a broad gradient of structural diversity. The biodiversity of mountain Norway spruce forests will also be assessed across a wide range of taxonomic groups, including soil microorganisms, vascular plants and bryophytes, fungi, insects, and birds. Estimated biodiversity values will be correlated with forest structural properties. Remote sensing data will be used to extrapolate the results to larger spatial scales.

Different forest stand growth models will be applied to simulate the development of mountain Norway spruce forests under various climate and management scenarios. This will enable us to predict how different forest management approaches affect the biodiversity and ecosystem functions of these valuable and vulnerable forest ecosystems. The aim is to identify best management practices for creating more resilient forests in the future.

The project results will be synthesized to provide concrete recommendations for stakeholders and practitioners regarding sustainable management options for Norway spruce forests in the European Alpine biogeographical region. Particular attention will be given to identifying an optimal balance between timber production and biodiversity conservation. The project will also focus on knowledge transfer and capacity building within the participating institutions.

Case Studies

To achieve the project objectives, research will be conducted in four study areas, one in each participating country, selected to cover a broad geographical and ecological gradient. These areas range from marginal Norway spruce-dominated forests in southeastern Europe, particularly in Croatia and Bulgaria, to the core distribution areas of Norway spruce in the Carpathians (Romania) and the Alps (Switzerland).

Dissemination of finding

Project presentation at the launch event of the “Research on the Spotlight: Making Ideas Visible” programme. 13 October 2025, Bucharest, organised by UEFISCDI.
https://uefiscdi.gov.ro/resource-860344-Prezentare-proiecte-MAPS.pdf

Ienășoiu G, Petritan AM, Tudose NC, Radu RG, Marin M, Chira D, Olenici N, Lazăr G, Dumitru-Dobre C, Roibu CC. 2025 Adapted forest management for biodiversity conservation in mountain Norway spruce forests under climate change BIOFORMA project presentation. Conferința internațională 7^th Edition of the Integrated Management of Environmental Resources Conference, 7-8 November 2025, Suceava (poster presentation) https://www.silvic.usv.ro/imer2025/book_of_abstracts_IMER_7.pdf

Stakeholder workshop. 18 November 2025, Brașov.

Interview on Radio România Cultural. 16 April 2026. Pădurea în fața schimbărilor climatice: cum încearcă cercetătorii să salveze molidul [Forests in the face of climate change: how researchers are trying to save Norway spruce].l.https://www.radioromaniacultural.ro/sectiuni-articole/stiinta/padurea-in-fata-schimbarilor-climatice-cum-incearca-cercetatorii-sa-salveze-molidul-id53242.html

Petritan AM, Radu RG, Petrea S, Lazăr G, Chira D, Paraschiv M, Marin M, Dumitru-Dobre C, Ienășoiu G. 2026. BIOFORMA – Adaptive management of mountain Norway spruce forests under climate change. 12th International Symposium Forest and Sustainable Development, Brașov, Romania, 15-16 OCTOBER 2026 (poster) https://silvic.unitbv.ro/images/conferinte/fsd2026/FSD_2026_-_final_program.pdf