Hungarian and Slovak forestry enterprises and ecological research institutes have joined forces to enhance the sustainability of oak forests in Central Europe, the spokesperson of Pilisi Parkerdő announced on Friday. The collaboration, supported by EU funding, aims to develop advanced forestry practices that promote continuous forest cover and long-term ecological balance.
According to the spokesperson for Pilisi Parkerdő Péter Mészáros, the participating organizations will allocate nearly 650 million forints to study the sustainability of Central European oak forests. The project will also facilitate the development of sustainable forest management strategies in both Hungary and Slovakia. Pilisi Parkerdő, which manages one of the largest areas of old-growth forest in Hungary, applies an individual tree-based forestry model in the Pilis and Visegrád Mountains. The regeneration of tree populations relies on natural reproduction and biodiversity, reducing the need for clear-cutting practices.
As part of the initiative, Slovakia’s Technical University in Zvolen and Hungary’s Centre for Ecological Research will conduct comparative studies on various forestry interventions, examining their impact on microclimates, biodiversity, and forest regeneration. The research will contrast continuous-cover forestry with traditional clear-cutting methods to identify best practices for long-term sustainability.
Additionally, Pilisi Parkerdő will enhance its forestry database and implement a monitoring system to assess the impact of wildlife on natural regeneration. Slovakia’s National Forestry Centre will develop a database and information system to compare forest conditions before and after global environmental changes.
The findings of this research will be integrated into the professional practices of Krupina Municipal Forests in Slovakia and Pilisi Parkerdő Ltd in Hungary. The results are expected to contribute to developing sustainable forestry methods that maintain continuous forest cover and promote ecological balance.
Moreover, the project partners will create practical guidelines in Hungarian and Slovak for forestry professionals, conservationists, and land managers. The research outcomes will be widely disseminated among educational institutions, environmental organizations, and forestry experts to ensure broader adoption of sustainable practices.
Pilisi Parkerdő is Hungary’s only designated park forestry enterprise, managing 65,000 hectares across Pest and Komárom–Esztergom counties. Its jurisdiction spans the Gerecse, Pilis, Visegrád, and Buda mountain ranges, as well as the Gödöllő Hills and Csepel Plain. Attracting 32 million visitors annually, the park plays a crucial role in both conservation and public recreation.
With this collaborative project, Hungary and Slovakia are taking a significant step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of their oak forests, balancing economic forestry needs with environmental stewardship.
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