The 6th edition of the Forest Innovation Workshop was held on February 11 and 12 in Brussles and organised by the ERIAFF network (European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry), the European Forest Institute (EFI) and its Bioregions Facility, the European Confederation of Forest Owners (CEPF), the European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR), the European Farmers and Agri-Cooperatives (COPA-COGECA), the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) and Euromontana, and the projects FOREST4EU and OptFor-EU. The event convened leading researchers, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies for sustainable forest management in Europe.
The OptFor-EU mid-term conference focused on optimising decision-making tools, enhancing climate resilience and integrating cutting-edge scientific models to support forest ecosystems and carbon sequestration efforts. Discussions covered innovative technologies, data-driven decision-making, policy challenges and financial considerations to drive effective forest management strategies.
Key Discussions & Highlights
The OptFor-EU Project – Advancing Forest Management for Climate Resilience
Sorin Cheval (Meteo Romania), coordinator of OptFor-EU project, opened the conference by emphasizing the project’s mission:
“Our primary objective is to develop a Decision Support System (DSS) that empowers forest managers to make science-based decisions, optimizing ecosystem services with a strong focus on decarbonization.”
A significant portion of the project focuses on incorporating the impacts of climate change on European forests, particularly the role of external pressures such as extreme weather events, rising temperatures, biodiversity shifts, and land-use changes. The DSS aims to act as a bridge between scientific knowledge, EU policy priorities, and on-the-ground management practices. The importance of co-creation and collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and forest practitioners in developing this tool was strongly emphasised.
Data-Driven Approaches to Forest-Climate Nexus
Nicu Constantin Tudose (National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry „Marin Drăcea”) presented insights from data collection efforts across the eight case study areas. These findings highlighted the tangible effects of climate change on European forests:
- Rising temperatures, warmer winters, and hotter summers.
- Increased prevalence of disturbances such as droughts and irregular precipitation.
- A shift towards planting species that are more drought- and heat-resistant.
- Growing concerns about pest survival due to milder winters.
Forest managers reported the necessity of adapting their practices to changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, economic factors such as irregular timber supply and market volatility were discussed, highlighting the need for financial support mechanisms, risk assessment tools, and insurance schemes to help mitigate economic losses. Key obstacles identified in optimizing climate adaptation strategies include outdated operational forestry laws, lack of financial incentives, limited awareness among forest managers, and land fragmentation challenges. Addressing these issues will require policy innovation, increased funding, and enhanced access to high-quality information and resources.
In his presentation, Nicu Constantin Tudose stated:“Timber markets are under strain due to irregular wood supply, resulting in fluctuating prices and lower-quality timber.”
Innovations in Forest Mitigation Indicators
Stefanie Linser (BOKU University) introduced the development of essential forest mitigation indicators, emphasizing:
- A participatory approach, incorporating input from 100+ experts.
- A set of 21 indicators designed to optimize forest management for decarbonization and resilience.
- The integration of these indicators into the DSS for real-time decision-making support.
To ensure that forest management practices align with climate mitigation objectives, a set of essential forest mitigation indicators has been developed. These indicators were created through an extensive research process involving surveys, stakeholder consultations, and international collaborations. The selected indicators focus on measuring the effectiveness of forest management strategies in promoting carbon sequestration, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable land use.
An innovative aspect of these indicators is their ability to be tailored to local contexts while remaining scalable for use in national and European-level assessments. By integrating these indicators into the DSS, forest managers will have access to an evidence-based visualization tool that supports adaptive decision-making.
Stefanie Linser emphasised: “Unlike traditional top-down approaches, our methodology ensures that indicators are not just scientifically robust but practically relevant for forest managers.”
Integrating Climate, Forest and Land Models for Better Decision Making
Mauro Morichetti (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) discussed how climate, forest, and land surface models can:
- Simulate various forest management scenarios to determine the best strategies for carbon sequestration.
- Enhance regional climate models to predict forest responses under different climate conditions.
A significant challenge in forest management is predicting how forests will respond to climate change under various socio-economic and environmental scenarios. The discussions emphasized the integration of climate, forest, and land surface models to provide a more comprehensive understanding of forest dynamics. These models use real-time and historical data to simulate different management strategies, evaluating their effectiveness in enhancing carbon sequestration and maintaining ecosystem health.
Advanced climate models were discussed as a tool to assess long-term trends in temperature, precipitation, and forest productivity. By refining these models, researchers aim to provide more accurate predictions that will support forest managers in making informed decisions about conservation and restoration efforts. The models also help quantify the trade-offs between different management strategies, enabling decision-makers to balance economic, ecological, and social objectives.
Mauro Morichetti (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) outlined OptFor-EU’s modeling framework, which integrates climate, land surface, and forest models: “Our objective is to optimize forest management strategies for maximum carbon sequestration while ensuring long-term resilience under changing climate conditions.”
Decision Support System (DSS) – Bridging Science & Practice
Harald Vacik (BOKU University) provided an in-depth look into the OptFor-EU DSS, which will:
- Offer data-driven recommendations to forest managers.
- Include features such as the Explorer (visualizing patterns) and Evaluator (comparing management strategies).
- Ensure usability by balancing scientific complexity with accessibility.
The DSS is at the heart of the OptFor-EU project, serving as a practical tool for forest managers to integrate complex climate and environmental data into their decision-making processes. The system includes several components, such as an Explorer tool for analyzing patterns, an Evaluator tool for comparing different management scenarios and an interactive toolbox, allowing users to explore data, evaluate management options, and receive tailored recommendations.
A critical aspect of the DSS is its ability to provide customized recommendations based on real-world case studies. By integrating various data sources, the system will allow users to assess the impact of different forest management practices, visualize potential future scenarios, and explore trade-offs between economic and environmental objectives. The development of the DSS is ongoing, with a focus on ensuring usability and accessibility for a diverse range of stakeholders.
Harald Vacik (BOKU University) stressed the importance of usability in the DSS: “Balancing scientific complexity with practical application is crucial. The DSS must provide clear, accessible insights for forest managers to navigate the uncertainties of climate change.”
Panel Discussions: Future of Forests & Policy Implications
Predicting the Future of European Forests
Moderators: Francesca Giannetti (Blue Biloba) & Mauro Morichetti (CNR)
Panelists: Razvan Purcarea (Simavi), Marcus Lindner (European Forest Institute) RESONATE project , Aleksi Lehtonen (Natural Resources Institute Finland, LUKE) HoliSoil project, Alexander Pinter (Holzcluster Steiermark) ForForestInnovation project, Rebecca Holliday (Met Office Hadley Centre)
A key discussion during the panel revolved around future challenges and opportunities in forest management. With increasing global demand for wood and forest products, balancing economic benefits with environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly complex. The panel explored how technological innovations, such as 3D forest visualization tools, can help forest managers better understand future changes and adapt their strategies accordingly.
The impact of climate change-driven disturbances, such as wildfires, pests, and extreme weather events, was also discussed. Experts emphasized the importance of integrating resilience-focused strategies, such as mixed-species plantations and adaptive management practices, to ensure forests can withstand and recover from environmental stressors.
Key takeaways:
- The growing demand for wood will increase economic opportunities but also place greater pressure on sustainable management.
- Climate-driven disturbances like wildfires and pests require urgent adaptation strategies.
- Visualization tools and 3D modeling can help forest owners plan for climate challenges.
Marcus Lindner (European Forest Institute), from the RESONATE project highlighted: “Climate-induced disturbances, such as wildfires and bark beetle infestations, are projected to triple. Increasing resilience is vital, not just in forests but across the entire wood industry.”
Alexander Pinter (Holzcluster Steiermark), talking about the project ForestInnovation, stated: “Our 3D visualization tool allows forest owners to simulate different management scenarios, helping them make informed decisions about future-proofing their forests.”
Aleksi Lehtonen (Natural Resources Institute Finland, LUKE), on the project HoliSoil, stressed: “Engaging local communities through Living Labs has been crucial in demonstrating the real-world impacts of different forest management practices.”
Policy Challenges & Opportunities
Moderators: Alice Ludvig (BOKU University) & Nicu Constantin Tudose (INCDS)
Panelists: Giuseppe Cardellini (VITO) ForestPaths project, Laure-Lou Tremblay (IEEP) ForestNavigator project, Elisabeth Schatzdorfer (EFI) SUPERB project, Hardo Becker (Estonian State Forest Management Centre).
The policy discussions focused on the institutional and regulatory challenges that hinder the adoption of sustainable forest management practices. A key takeaway was that knowledge gaps, rather than financial or regulatory constraints, remain the biggest barrier to effective climate-smart forestry. There is a pressing need for better knowledge transfer mechanisms, training programs, and awareness campaigns to equip forest managers with the skills and resources they need.
The role of the EU’s Nature Restoration Law was examined in the context of sustainable forest management. While the law presents opportunities for large-scale ecosystem restoration, concerns were raised about its lack of integration with climate adaptation measures. Experts advocated for a more holistic approach that aligns restoration efforts with broader climate resilience goals.
Key takeaways:
- Lack of knowledge, not financial or regulatory barriers, is the biggest challenge to implementing climate-smart forestry.
- The EU Nature Restoration Law lacks sufficient climate adaptation measures and needs stronger integration with restoration policies.
- A push for greater forest monitoring and investment in knowledge transfer is needed.
Alice Ludvig (BOKU University) stressed on the results of OptFor-EU: “Our survey across OptFor-EU case studies revealed that the biggest barrier to adaptation isn’t regulation or funding—it’s a lack of knowledge and uncertainty about future risks.”
Elisabeth Schatzdorfer (EFI) on the Nature Restoration Law concluded: “The Nature Restoration Law overlooks climate adaptation. Without integrating resilience, restoration efforts may not succeed.”
Final Reflections & Next Steps
As the conference concluded, participants emphasised the importance of fostering stronger collaborations between scientists, policymakers, and forest managers. There was a collective call to improve communication efforts, ensuring that scientific advancements and policy recommendations reach a wider audience, including small-scale forest owners and the general public.
Moving forward, the key priorities identified include:
- Expanding the adoption of data-driven decision-making tools.
- Strengthening financial and policy support for sustainable forestry.
- Enhancing education and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Scaling up innovative management practices to improve forest resilience and carbon sequestration.
Francesca Giannetti (Blue Biloba) concluded the conference with a call for:
- Stronger communication efforts to engage the public and small forest owners.
- Bridging technology with social innovation to ensure that decision-making tools are widely adopted.
“We must break out of traditional forestry channels and engage the broader public through innovative business models and social outreach.”
Conclusion
The OptFor-EU mid-term Conference reinforced the need for science-driven, technology-enhanced, and policy-supported approaches to forest management. The development of the DSS, climate models, and essential indicators will empower forest managers to optimize resilience, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, ensuring a sustainable future for European forests. With continued collaboration, investment, and innovation, European forests can play a crucial role in achieving global climate and biodiversity goals.