Changemaking to create a new future for forests

The European Union pledges to #plant 3 billion trees by 2030, but Chinese foresters have shown that a‘one size fits all’ afforestation approach simply does not work. Tree plantations can be destroyed through climatic events such as storms or drought, or be attacked by pests and pathogens, leaving a devastated landscape and despairing local communities. Resilient forest management requires locally tailored solutions. Using an #Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approach that considers biodiversity and Nature’s benefits to humans, eco2adapt will consider not only the trees, but the gain for the entire social-ecological system, so that local communities can contribute to safeguarding tomorrow’s multifunctional forests.

EbA offers cost-effective and #sustainable solutions for national and regional #adaptation strategies. But understanding societal perception and acceptability is necessary before EbA solutions can be implemented by both citizens and governments. Through innovative #DecisionTheatres, eco2adapt will work with all levels of stakeholders to understand what drives their decision-making and to create changemaking models and policies for resilient forest management, business and governance.

Smart Tools to Create and Manage Resilient Forests

The eco2adapt consortium will develop digital tools using cutting-edge #artificialintelligence methods to harness information from #BigData in forestry archives around the world. Combined with sophisticated modelling to predict the effects of management on forest dynamics in a changing climate, and how this will affect services and contribution to people, information will be used to create portfolios of climate-resilient species and management methods that can be accessed via a free Smartphone application. The application will help forest managers choose the best species/mixture of species to plant depending on local conditions, climate projections and community needs.

Tailored innovation through Living Labs in climate hotspots

eco2adapt will co-create solutions for resilient forests together with stakeholders in 15 #climatehotspots in Europe and China. #LivingLabs will be set up in each hotspot to allow collaborations between multiple partners operating at regional or landscape levels and to coordinate experiments. eco2adapt’s Living Labs have been selected to cover a broad range of forest and climate type, ranging from boreal and temperate conifer forests to tropical rainforest. Animal and plant biodiversity will be monitored through citizen science, remote sensing and experiments. EbA-style management will be tested at experimental sites and the best solutions demonstrated at lighthouse sites, with EbA training given to stakeholders. Living Lab activities will allow stakeholders to learn about new solutions across Europe and China, including novel forest insurance and business mechanisms, certification schemes and policy updates.

Shaping a legacy for resilient forests at all levels of society

As changemaking takes time, eco2adapt will create a legacy for future scientists, stakeholders, practitioners, students and communities. eco2adapt will develop activities and materials for all levels of society, from children to retirees, and foresters to policy-makers. Digital tools developed and data created will be accessible and will evolve after the project ends and made #openaccess and interactive via a #KnowledgeBase. A direct link will be made between the project’s knowledge base and the #UnitedNationsDataHub, so that policy-makers can constantly access forestry and #ecosystemservice data. This will strengthen partnerships between academics, practitioners and policy-makers and create a long-term legacy for tomorrow’s generations.