From 22 to 24 September, members of the LIFE Adapt Brdy Project Advisory Board took part in a field trip to Lower Silesia in Poland. The aim of the meeting was to share experiences regarding measures aimed at increasing the resilience of forests to the impacts of climate change, the conservation of forest genetic resources, and water management in the landscape. The LIFE Adapt Brdy project has long supported the transfer of best practice between foresters and experts across Central Europe.
The programme included a visit to the Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank, which preserves the genetic resources of forest tree species for future generations. Participants were also introduced to examples of support for the silver fir, the production of reproductive material, the afforestation of agricultural land, and the use of more species-diverse stands as a tool to increase the stability of forest ecosystems. The role of introduced tree species and their potential application in a changing climate was also discussed.
A significant part of the field trip was devoted to water management in the landscape. Our Polish colleagues presented examples of water retention measures, the protection of watercourses against erosion, and the restoration of wetland and peatland habitats. The meeting yielded a wealth of valuable insights which may also serve as inspiration for adaptation measures implemented in the Brdy forests. The international exchange of experience is one of the key tools for jointly seeking effective ways to prepare European forests for future climate challenges.
