The institute

The Forest Research Institute (FRI) is one of the 11 Institutes of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research of ELGO-DIMITRA. It was founded in 1961 with its headquarters in Loutra Thermi (Municipality of Thermi) in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki.

The research at the FRI focuses on:

1. the function and dynamics of forest and grassland ecosystems
2. biogeochemical and hydrogeological cycles
3. plant ecophysiology and plant sociology
4. the management and utilization of forest and grassland ecosystems/grassland
5. the genetic improvement of forest and grassland plants
6. the conservation of genetic resources
7. agroforestry
8. the study of wildlife and the competition between wildlife and human activities
9. the mapping, identification and classification of mushrooms and truffles
10. the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and protected areas
11. urban forestry
12. the protection of forest ecosystems from abiotic and biotic factors
13. the early detection and control of endemic and invasive insects and pathogenic fungi
14. protection and management of fire risk
15. the restoration and management of burnt forest/ grazing land
16. the resilience and adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change and mitigation of its impacts.

The FRI maintains collections of genetic material of forest species.

The FRI has specialized research and service structures for:

• Examination of samples of wood and wooden packaging materials for the detection of quarantine pests
• Molecular identification of insects
• Examination of samples of forest species for pathogenic fungi / examination and identification of mushrooms and truffles and instructions for their use
• Determination of the nutritional value of pasture and rangeland plants 
• Provision of meteorological data
• Identification of plant samples
• Processing of satellite images
• Mapping of forest areas
• Analysis of passive acoustic monitoring data and staff training
• Consultations/ advice/ special surveys on all kinds of forestry issues

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