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-The silvicultural research of our Chair deals with various aspects of forest design. Basic (ecological) research, research for purposeful forest management and renaturation research are all carried out.

-Basic research focuses on the regeneration ecology of forest tree species. Expertise is available for beech, oak, ash, silver fir and pioneer tree species (especially silver birch). Experiments with experimental interventions in forest stands, ad hoc installations in commercial forests or natural forest structure analyses in conjunction with controlled experiments in our greenhouse provide the data for this.

-Studies on directed forest treatment for the production of quality timber (oak, beech), the provision of habitats (ground beetles) or the control of water retention (beech, spruce) are technically and theoretically integrated into the concept of ecosystem services. In most cases, we use individual-based research approaches for data collection and analysis, which allow us to transfer our findings to higher spatial scales.

-In research on the restoration of degraded forest systems, knowledge of regeneration ecology and natural forest dynamics is used and combined appropriately.

-We want to further develop the guiding principle of sustainability on the basis of ecological silviculture. Theory-based approaches (multifunctionality, ecosystem status), which also take climate change into account, serve this purpose.

-We work with our master students and doctoral students in Germany and abroad (e.g. Paraguay, Russia, USA, Vietnam, Sweden). Our research is funded by national and international donors through grants and direct project funding.