17.11.2025
The joint research project “FraxForFuture 2 – Conservation and Reintroduction of the Common Ash (FraxRecovery)” marks the next phase in efforts to save the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior). The Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Homeland (BMLEH) is providing 7.2 million euros in funding for three years to support ten partner institutions working to preserve and reintroduce this ecologically and economically valuable tree species, which is severely threatened by ash dieback caused by the invasive fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.
The Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) leads a subproject on microbial biogeochemistry, focusing on microbiome management as a biological approach to combat ash dieback. By enhancing beneficial microbial communities, the researchers aim to promote the recovery of diseased trees and forest stands. The project runs from 2025 to 2028 with a ZALF funding volume of 560,000 euros and is coordinated by the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR).
Building on the successful FraxForFuture project (2020–2024), FraxRecovery focuses on transferring research findings into practical forest management. Core areas include the protection and reintroduction of tolerant ash trees, the conservation of genetic resources, and the long-term monitoring of restoration strategies.
“Following the encouraging results of the previous project, it is only logical to continue research and reintroduce tolerant ash trees to restore affected forest ecosystems,” said Dr.-Ing. Andreas Schütte, Managing Director of the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR).
