The Second Stakeholder Group meeting of EVOLTREE took place in Eisenstadt (Austria) on September 16^th and 17^th, 2009. The meeting was well attended and had the objective to continue the involvement of EVOLTREE stakeholders in the activities of the network, in order to ensure that research findings influence policies and contribute to sustainable use of forests and their biodiversity. The workshop illustrated to non-specialists the most recent scientific findings related to how forest ecosystems respond to major environmental changes. The presentations stimulated a discussion with the Stakeholders on possible actions to support sustainable use and conservation of forest resources based on the most advanced scientific understanding.

The various ongoing European research frameworks and initiatives related to different aspects of intra-specific diversity of trees were presented, to illustrate their different focus and complementarities. In particular speakers representing the following European projects and initiatives were invited to deliver presentations: TREEBREEDEX, NovelTree, EUFORGEN, EUFGIS, COST action E52 on the Evaluation of Beech Genetic Resources for Sustainable Forestry.

Furthermore, a visit was organized to the common DNA repository center, established within the EVOLTREE framework at the Austrian Institute of Technology in Seibersdorf, as a common infrastructure of the network. A full description of the facility and its main features is available online.

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