Samechov / Konopište, Czech Republic
Our Living Lab in the forest of Samechov/Konopište is situated near the picturesque village of Samechov and the historic Konopiště Castle in the heart of the Czech Republic.

About this living lab
The management objectives revolve around timber and biomass production while integrating forest management practices aim at enhancing biodiversity (e.g., via retention of deadwood and habitat trees) and forest stand heterogeneity and continuity development.
We face several challenges, including the integration of biodiversity-oriented forest management principles, which necessitates exploring suitable management approaches and understanding their impacts on timber production.
Others objectives
Additionally, we are trying to address drought-related issues such as tree dieback and bark beetle infestations. The applied forest management practices promote site adapted tree species, mixed-species forest stands, heterogeneity of the stand structure as well as incorporation of biological legacies, and enhancement of biodiversity.
Area
286 ha
Guiding Management Principle
Production and biodiversity enhancement
Current Management
Ecological forestry, close-to-nature forest management, deadwood management, habitat trees retention
Management challenges
Drought, bark beetle, balancing production and biodiversity
News
When knowledge travels, collaboration grows
24 September 2026 | Našice, Croatia What happens when a…
What does a “healthy” forest look like? Journalists invited to investigate
What if a forest that looks dead is actually the…
Forest Dialogue 2026: Biodiversity as a key to resilient forests
by Gesche Schifferdecker (EFI) How can biodiversity increase the adaptation…






