Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CLIMB-FOREST (CLImate Mitigation and Bioeconomy pathways for sustainable FORESTry)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-03-31
CLIMB-FOREST suggests alternative sustainable pathways for the forest sector to mitigate climate change in the whole of Europe, considering preservation of biodiversity, ecosystem services, bioeconomy, socioeconomic factors, use of long-lived wood products, and barriers for change. It will have long-term impact by creating attitude change in the policymaking process in the EU and influence foresters to adopt new management strategies.
To accurately assess carbon storage in primary forests, we conducted extensive fieldwork across Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania. We have also mapped beech forests, focusing on primary stands, and are currently comparing primary and managed forests through targeted field studies in Spain. Our analysis of drought responses in both primary and secondary forests in Sweden reveals higher resilience to drought in primary forests. Additionally, a comprehensive study on European beech stands highlights the impact of climate change, showing increased deviations in tree growth due to heatwaves, late spring frosts, and reduced precipitation, providing valuable insights into tree sensitivity to changing climatic conditions.
To support our modelling efforts, we extracted crucial data from National Forest Inventories, including species abundance, carbon gains and losses, forest structure, management practices, and functional diversity, which encompass the pivotal components of biodiversity that directly influence ecosystem functionality and services. We also meticulously characterized stand age and management regimes using inventory data, ensuring accuracy through validation with disturbance products and remote sensing data.
We compiled essential variables for modelling biogeochemical and biophysical dynamics in forests and Earth System modelling. By reaching out to Principal Investigators of flux sites, we identified approximately 70 sites from which vital data will be collected for our modelling efforts.
We carried out a systematic literature review mapping current and future trends in demand for wood and wood-based products delivered by different forest management alternatives.
We developed our models to assess the impacts of climate change, future forest land use and management changes on forest functioning and forests’ ecosystem services, including forest carbon stocks and biodiversity. Enhanced resolution across Europe and calibration using National Forest Inventories and literature sources have improved the representation of forested landscapes. A new module for the agent-based land use model allows assessment of individual policies and policy packages.
We conducted comprehensive field visits in five strategically chosen European countries. We made several stops at each site, gathering rich local insights and fostering discussions that identified alternative forest management approaches. Additionally, we facilitated an online questionnaire for stakeholders to gather their input on forest management preferences.
To support our modelling efforts, we extracted crucial data from National Forest Inventories, including species abundance, carbon gains and losses, forest structure, management practices, and functional diversity, which encompass the pivotal components of biodiversity that directly influence ecosystem functionality and services. We also meticulously characterized stand age and management regimes using inventory data, ensuring accuracy through validation with disturbance products and remote sensing data.
We compiled essential variables for modelling biogeochemical and biophysical dynamics in forests and Earth System modelling. By reaching out to Principal Investigators of flux sites, we identified approximately 70 sites from which vital data will be collected for our modelling efforts.
We carried out a systematic literature review mapping current and future trends in demand for wood and wood-based products delivered by different forest management alternatives.
We developed our models to assess the impacts of climate change, future forest land use and management changes on forest functioning and forests’ ecosystem services, including forest carbon stocks and biodiversity. Enhanced resolution across Europe and calibration using National Forest Inventories and literature sources have improved the representation of forested landscapes. A new module for the agent-based land use model allows assessment of individual policies and policy packages.
We conducted comprehensive field visits in five strategically chosen European countries. We made several stops at each site, gathering rich local insights and fostering discussions that identified alternative forest management approaches. Additionally, we facilitated an online questionnaire for stakeholders to gather their input on forest management preferences.
Our pan-European stand age map, derived from National Forest Inventory data, is an invaluable asset for scientists, policymakers, and forest managers. This comprehensive resource provides insights into European forests, aiding assessments of their carbon storage potential and role in climate change mitigation.
The dataset compiled from flux and other field sites includes variables reflecting processes from the leaf level to the ecosystem scale, offering unique information across various European forest ecosystem types. Additionally, it encompasses a variety of management options and disturbance histories across different geographical settings.
Our literature review on wood products uncovers intriguing future trends. Demand for coniferous softwood is expected to surge, driven by the growing need for bioenergy from forest biomass. Recreational preferences favour mixed forest stands over monocultures, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in cultural ecosystem services. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the demand for wood products in construction and furniture, an area needing further research and policy focus in forest management.
Through extensive field visits and stakeholder interviews across Europe, we have compiled a database of recommended forest management strategies tailored to various stakeholders and regional contexts. A notable outcome is the formation of a cohesive stakeholder-researcher group, fostering a collaborative environment proposing consensus-driven solutions for effective forest management practices.
The dataset compiled from flux and other field sites includes variables reflecting processes from the leaf level to the ecosystem scale, offering unique information across various European forest ecosystem types. Additionally, it encompasses a variety of management options and disturbance histories across different geographical settings.
Our literature review on wood products uncovers intriguing future trends. Demand for coniferous softwood is expected to surge, driven by the growing need for bioenergy from forest biomass. Recreational preferences favour mixed forest stands over monocultures, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in cultural ecosystem services. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the demand for wood products in construction and furniture, an area needing further research and policy focus in forest management.
Through extensive field visits and stakeholder interviews across Europe, we have compiled a database of recommended forest management strategies tailored to various stakeholders and regional contexts. A notable outcome is the formation of a cohesive stakeholder-researcher group, fostering a collaborative environment proposing consensus-driven solutions for effective forest management practices.