About 20 000 samples (species lists of concrete forest sites with quantitativ data) have been stored using the data
base program TURBOVEG. Most data were compiled from literature (articles, monographs, thesis) or were
received from colleagues. Some additional data were sampled in the field. In a first step the data set was splitted
into physiognomically more or less homogenous subsets (e.g. beech forests, spruce-fir forests, pine forests) which
then were numerically classified. The last step consisted in the revision of currently used forest typologies.
The results of our investigations might be a contribution to establish a Europe-wide uniform classification system
of forests. The classification systems used so far in Austria were partly supported by the project`s results. However,
in some cases changes are suggested, especially concerning the wide-spread climatic forest communities like beech
and spruce forests which are also the most relevant ones for forestry. As a general trend, it was shown that
geographical gradients were often overemphasized in the past. Site factors (as soil pH, moisture regime, altitude)
are usually more important for floristic differentiation. This thesis, already supposed by some authors, has now
been validated by the use of multivariate statistic methods.
Description, comparison and classification of vegetation types is yielding important information for a more
effective nature and landscape conservation on the national as well as on the international level. The building of
extensive vegetation data bases is often considered as one of the most urgent aims in today`s vegetation ecology.
It is intended to publish the results of the project as "Determination key book of the Austrian forest communities"
which will provide an important tool for habitat conservation, planing and management of national parks,
implementation of the EU-habitat directive (Natura 2000), forest science etc.