Preface

High-Level group will write (and sign).

The future will bring both challenges and opportunities. Global challenges include the demands a growing population makes on global ecosystems, whose resilience is being tested by water, air and soil pollution. Based on the present rate of utilisation, natural resources will fall increasingly short of demand. But resources are used very inequitably, and there are still many people, particularly in developing countries, who hope to receive their fair share of the world’s limited resources. Thus, substantial improvements in resource efficiency are essential to guarantee a secure and sustainable future for everyone while simultaneously tackling climate change, driven by the use of fossil resources.

The European forest-based sector is directly affected by climate change, competition for wood resources, changing consumer demands, increasing competition and the growing complexity of manufacturing processes. Traditional forest-based industries have used non-food renewable natural resources in a sustainable and responsible way and the growing and evolving sector now has great potential as an enabler for the future sustainable European bio-society. The EU and the European forest-based sector can together contribute to achievement of the Vision 2030 by implementing the Strategic Research Agenda. 

The forest-based sector recognises four Strategic Objectives, which relates to meeting grand challenges of the European society, namely responsible use of forest resources, fulfilling consumer needs, and providing sustainable forest bio-energy, as well as ii) upholding global leadership of the European industries.  

Content

Preface. 2

Content. 3

Forest-based sector today and in 2030.. 5

Vision 2030. 5

Mastering key enabling technologies. 6

Nanotechnology. 6

Advanced materials. 6

Biotechnology. 6

Advanced manufacturing and processing. 6

Space. 6

ICT. 6

Addressing Societal Challenges. 7

Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing. 7

Food security, sustainable agriculture and bio-economy. 7

Secure, clean and efficient energy. 7

Smart, green and integrated transport. 7

Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials. 7

Inclusive, innovative and secure societies. 8

Strategic objectives and key research areas. 9

1.       Responsible use of forest resources. 10

1.1 Tailor-made wood supply. 11

1.2 Enhanced biomass production. 13

1.3 Cascade use of renewable materials. 15

1.4 Forest ecology and ecosystem services. 17

1.5 Multi-purpose use of forests. 19

2.       Fulfilling consumer needs. 21

2.1 Building with wood. 22

Rationale. 22

2.2 Living with wood (functional furnishings and furniture) 24

2.3 New bio-based products. 27

2.4 Smart packaging solutions. 29

2.5 Hygienic, diagnostics and healthcare products. 30

2.6 Integration of new solutions in printed products. 32

Strategic Objective 3: Creating industrial leadership. 34

3.1 Radical resource efficiency improvement in manufacturing. 35

3.2 Sustainable water systems. 37

3.3 Zero waste pulp & paper value chain. 39

3.4 New business models and service concepts. 41

3.5 Biorefinery concepts. 43

Strategic Objective 4.Providing sustainable forest bio-energy. 45

4.1 Renewable energy solutions. 46

4.2 Bio-energy products. 48

Implementation.. 50

Cross-sector collaboration. 50

Communication. 50

Measures to promote innovation. 51

Public funding and European cooperation. 51

Monitoring. 52

 

Forest-based sector today and in 2030

The forest-based sector in Europe provides society with a wide variety of products and services, ranging from paper, packaging, tissue paper, furniture and construction materials  made from solid wood and wood-based panels to textile fibres, biofuels, bio-energy and speciality chemicals. Today it contributes some 8% of the EU’s total manufacturing added value, and sustainably manages forests covering 35% of the EU’s landmass. It also provides income for about 16 million forest owners and supports 3-4 million industrial jobs in the areas of transport, machinery, construction, instrumentation, ICT, chemicals and energy. The forest sector is Europe’s biggest producer and user of bio-based energy.

 The most significant sub-sector of forest-based industry in Europe is the woodworking industry which in 2009 had a turnover of over €180 billion and 2.4 million employees in 365,000 small and medium-sized companies. The woodworking sector includes sawmilling (15%), wood construction products (37%) and furniture manufacture (48%). The second largest sub-sector is the pulp and paper industry, with a total turnover of €81 billion in 2010, 224,000 employees and some 700 enterprises. The forest-based sector operates mainly in rural areas and is a vital component of the rural economy.

Vision 2030

• The forest-based sector is a key actor and enabler of the bio-based society
• It has doubled the real added value of its products and services since 2005
• Consumer needs, and the smart and sustainable use of forest resources, are the cornerstones of development
• The sector is bustling with new entrepreneurial activities that create employment and enriches the rural economy

By adapting an innovative attitude the emerging ‘new forest-based sector’ will play an increasing role in providing society with renewable energy (heat, power and transport fuels) and more sustainable housing and furnishings. The sector is also going to be known for its role in replacing petroleum-based plastics in packaging and other applications, clean water technologies, future-oriented communication media, novel medicines and healthy food ingredients, as well as alternative European raw materials for production of clothing, to compete with current synthetic fibres and cotton.

The forest-based sector will also continue to provide society with a sustainably managed forest, resilient to climate change. Only legally sourced wood will be used, whether imported or grown in the EU. The sector will significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by providing low carbon alternatives to energy-intensive materials.

Achieving this vision would help the EU in tackling several of the grand societal challenges and greatly improve the competiveness of the European forest-based sector. This will require excellence in forest and biomass management, significant investment in research and development, and a strong, innovation-driven industry leadership. The forest-based sector is ready to take the lead!

 

 

Mastering key enabling technologies

The activities described in the different research areas of this Strategic Research Agenda require inventive use and continuous progress of several enabling technologies. The European Commission has in its strategy for 2020 identified six key technologies which can drive the shift towards a low carbon, knowledge-based economy

 

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnologies are a spectrum of evolving technologies with proven potential, having revolutionary impact in for example materials, ICT, life sciences and healthcare and consumer goods once the research is translated into breakthrough products and production processes. Manufacturing of nano-materials, components and systems such as nano-cellulose, active surfaces  as well as developing capacity-enhancing production techniques, measuring methods and equipment is of high interest to the forest-based sector.

Advanced materials

Materials are at the core of industrial innovation and are key enablers. Advanced materials with higher knowledge content, new functionalities and improved performance are indispensable for industrial competitiveness and sustainable development across a range of applications and sectors. Materials have to be designed according to a full life-cycle approach, from the supply of available materials to end of life (cradle to cradle)

Biotechnology

The specific objective of biotechnology research and innovation is to develop competitive, sustainable and innovative industrial products and processes and contribute as a major innovation driver in a number of sectors.  Biotechnology-based developments in the forest-based sector includes a range of activities from  enzymatic treatment of paper-precursors,  green chemicals to developing the next generation of tree varieties.

Advanced manufacturing and processing

It is crucial to retain knowledge and competence in order to keep manufacturing and processing capacity in Europe. Specific areas where research is important to the forest-based sector is Reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions by the development/deployment of new construction technologies and increasing the competitiveness of process industries, by drastically improving resource and energy efficiencies and reducing the environmental impact through the value chain.

Space

The forest-based sector should be active and make use of European investments in space technology, especially the considerable investments made in the two Union flagships Galileo (global positioning system) and GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). 

ICT

ICT underpins innovation and competitiveness across a broad range of private and public markets and sectors, and enables scientific progress in all disciplines. Investments leading to breakthroughs and to a wider uptake and better use of innovative solutions, products and services in the area of ICT is of key importance for many of activities in the forest-based sector. ICT include the development of open platforms and technologies such as embedded components and systems as well as robotics, micro- and nanoelectronics

 

Addressing Societal Challenges

 

The Europe 2020 strategy addresses major societal challenges shared by citizens in Europe and elsewhere. The forest-based sector has a long history in contributing to societal requirements, fulfilling consumers´ needs and driving economic growth and wealth creation. Examples are the sustainable supply of wood from forests for variety of products like houses and furniture, paper as carrier for and information and culture, board for packaging of goods and as renewable energy source. The forest-based sector is predestined to deliver solutions for the actual grand challenges of our society as they have been addresses in the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation:

 

Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing

New material functionalities of fibre-based materials together with developments of smart features will enable and new products and user-friendly solutions for hygiene and healthcare. They will in particular assist an active and independent daily living of ageing population and people with disabilities. Embedded smart features and information carriers in pharmaceutical packaging will assist the correct intake of medicines.

 

Food security, sustainable agriculture and bio-economy

Sustainable management of forests will contribute to a sufficient supply of biomass for a variety of uses while meeting the demands for forest ecology and biodiversity. Forests will provide wider societal goods (including cultural and recreational values) and important ecological services like water regulation, erosion protection carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation.

Consumer needs for safe food and the need to reduce food losses will be met by advanced biobased food packaging derived from forest biomass with enhanced protective and smart features.

On the pathway to a bio-economy the forest-based industries will be cornerstone whether it is the supply of biomass for bio-based products or bio-energy, for bio-refinery processes or the development of markets for bio-based products

 

Secure, clean and efficient energy

As paper industry is one of the energy intensive industries there is a big need and also big potential to come to more energy efficient technologies. The reduction of specific energy consumption together with the increase of bio-energy products like combined heat and power from biomass or second generation biofuels will meet the 20-20-20 objectives.

 

Smart, green and integrated transport

The greening of the transport sector will be fostered by light-weight constructions of vehicle components based forest-based biomaterials like fibres or bio-chemicals together with the provision of bio-fuels.

 

Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials

On the pathway to a resource efficient and climate change resilient economy the forest-based sector will provide a number of contributions like mitigation climate change with carbon storage forest stands and forest-based products, their material and energy efficient reuse or recycling and the generation of CO2 neutral bioenergy. Bio-based materials will replace fossil based material and by opening the door to eco-innovation contribute to the greening of the economy and will support the decoupling of economic growth from resource consumption.

 

Inclusive, innovative and secure societies

The long history of sustainable forest management in Europe and the tradition of multi-purpose use of forests are examples of the contributions of the forest-based sector to inclusive societies, with aspects like development in rural areas, well-being or lifestyle.  Maintaining the global economic position of European forest-based industries and their related industries like machinery needs a new approach to foster creativity, innovation and cooperation.

 

Strategic objectives and key research areas

Achieving the overall vision and the specific targets will require significant investment into research. The Vision 2030 and the four Strategic Objectives identified by the sector have led to the identification of 19 key research areas for 2012-2020. In Figure XX, the areas are displayed grouped under the four Strategic Objectives.

 

Figure XX. The Research Areas of the SRA are grouped under the four Strategic Objectives.

 

 

 

1.    Responsible use of forest resources

Vision Targets for 2030

1. A resilient and diverse European forest is sustainably managed by a variety of owners and owner cooperatives who, assisted by new multi-purpose management systems, provide all the functions of the forest including raw material production, biodiversity and recreation
2. In many regions, specific growth is increasing and management is optimised for additional harvesting possibilities. In other regions, especially in the Mediterranean area, the impacts of climate change are predicted to be very severe, and creating resilient, stress-tolerant forest is particularly important. In some landscapes the main aim is nature conservation or management for eco-system services. Taking account of the full range of demand and production constraints, harvesting possibilities in Europe has increased by 30%, enabling forest owners to manage their forests more efficiently and sustainably
3. Cascade use of renewable material is established throughout the entire value chain. Recovery, reuse and recycling of forest-based products accounts for 70% of all recyclable material. When recycling opportunities have been exhausted, the remaining material is used for energy production

 

Research Areas for 2020

 

 

Strategic Objective 1: Responsible use of forest resources

 

1.1 Tailor-made wood supply

Rationale

One necessity for development of the bio-based economy is a secure supply of forest biomass. It should be noted that the wood supply only constitutes one aspect of forest management.

The structure and characteristics of forestry and forest-based industries in Europe differ from region to region due to differences in natural conditions, ownership structure, market conditions, social demands etc. To maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of the European forest-based sector it is crucial to secure an efficient and high quality raw-material supply, which is “tailor made” and fulfils present and up-coming quality and quantity demands. Development of improved and adapted wood-supply systems and forest management models are therefore needed. Forest management has to consider both industrial demands and secured functionality of forest ecosystems. The varying goals of forest owners have to be understood and communication between forest owners and industry needs to be strengthened in most parts of Europe.

Provision of raw-materials, which are selected for various uses and further developing efficient and environmentally friendly forest operations, transport systems and management models for biomass supply chains, are prerequisites for the forest-based sector to demonstrate leadership in the development of a bio-based economy. 

State of the art 2010

The growing stock in EU27 is increasing. In 2010, the annual increment of Europe’s forests was 768 million m³, while the annual harvest was 484 million m³, i.e. the harvest amounted to 63 % of the increment. Though variation is large, nowhere in the EU the harvest exceeds the increment. Yet, bio-mass supply is not secured! The reasons appearing to be divergent interests and stakes between industries and forest owners, probably due to large variation in ownership categories, but also market mechanisms and the efficiency in forest operations which differ substantially over regions.

New techniques are developed enabling determination of a number of key quality parameters already in the forest. So far these are sparsely implemented. Concerning the implemen­tation of efficient and environmentally friendly wood supply systems, from harvesting to industry, the situation varies considerably among regions in Europe.

Adaptation and design of wood properties of the growing tree through molecular techniques is still at the level of research, and implementation in practice is most probably not to be realised in large scale before 2020.   

Examples of activities and research approaches

-        Development of new techniques (including harvester-based measurements, geographic information systems and remote sensing) for inventory of quantity, quality, dimensions, and specific properties of forest resources.

-        Development of new and improvement of existing techniques for non-destructive measuring and modelling methods for assessment of stem and round-wood properties.

-        Provision of new and cost efficient techniques to allow for assessing the chain of custody.

-        Development of intelligent forest operation systems and new solutions for human – machine interactions for increased productivity, energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

-        Development of decision support systems for optimised supply chain management, including cascade use of wood and fibres, linked to forest planning tools for multifunctional forest management.

-        Communication and marketing of knowledge and new technologies, including education and training of contractors and other labour force.

-         Assessment of organisational systems and organisational behaviour to implement wood supply chain management systems.

-        Research and analyses into the supply effects of the developing structure of private forest ownership in Europe, e.g. absence of concentration drivers, legal and governance institutions driving dispersal of ownership, impacts of urbanisation on ownership etc.

Characteristics

Character of work: Applied research and development, demonstration and communication of knowledge

Major competence needed: forest assessment and inventory, information technologies, machine engineering, physics, wood material science, measurement engineering, logistics, environmental and social sciences, work science, economics, adaptive planning tools

Major ongoing research projects: FLEXWOOD (IP), Cost Actions: E40, E53, FP1001, FP1101..

Expected achievements by 2020

-        A new generation of resource inventory systems and flexible planning tools, enabling precise information on quantity and quality at local, regional and global scales.

-        Forest management and wood-supply systems improving the integration along value chains from forest to end-product, shortening lead times, increasing capital turnover, improved profitability of forest ownership and reduced environmental impact.

-        Added value and optimised cost structure through tailoring raw-materials to process and end product demands, using new assessment and sensor techniques.

-        Appropriate understanding on organisational needs to assure viable institutional set-ups for wood supply chain management systems

-        Insight into the impact of changing ownership structures for wood supply, along with policy recommendations addressing options for reducing unwanted negative impacts of these changes.

 

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Strategic Objective 1: Responsible use of forest resources 

1.2 Enhanced biomass production

Rationale

On global scale tree plantations for commercial use is expanding rapidly on order to secure availability of biomass for the forest-based industry. To be able to meet competition it is vital for the European forest-based sector to better understand the market conditions and to increase and secure its forest production in terms of volume, quality and efficiency. To achieve results until 2020 this has to be done by improving the efficiency of existing management techniques and by developing adapted new forest management systems, but future possibilities lies in developing the rapid emergence biotechnologies, gene function, genomes, populations, and novel breeding strategies. These techniques have the potential to offer the most efficient and environmentally least disturbing measure to accomplish an increase in production, economic yield and to secure forest biomass availability needed to develop the bio-based economy. At the same time possibilities are given to reduce the vulnerability of trees towards climatic changes, hazards, pests and diseases and to store CO₂.   

Since practical use of biotechnologies is a subject of concern, in-depth research is needed in order to find commonly accepted applications.

State of the art 2010

From a biomass resource perspective Europe’s forests are managed sustainably. For a long time biomass increment has exceeded biomass extraction. The biomass production increases steadily due to common practice of modern silviculture including selection of suitable tree species and improved planting materials. In some areas forest fertilisation is practiced. The results of traditional tree breeding are commonly implemented. Emerging biotechnologies are applied only to a limited extent, e.g. in mass propagation of planting material. The utilisation of genetically modified trees is so far prohibited with the exception for use in a pure research context.        

Examples of activities and research approaches

-        Development of existing and new techniques for silviculture and new efficient forest management systems reducing vulnerability to climate change.

-        Development of mechanised systems for silvicultural operations.

-        Development of efficient breeding strategies that include quantitative and molecular genetic tools aiming at sustainable and high yield of biomass.

-        Developing superior genotypes that are stable in variable environments and climates.

-        Studies of molecular, biochemical and physiological processes, determining wood and fibre properties, pest and disease resistance, water and nutrient biology.

-        Development of technologies for mass propagation.

-        Genetic improvement of growth, quality, resistance/tolerance and biotic/abiotic constraints growth and health of trees.

-        Development of tools to carry out performance and risk analysis for novel varieties or genotypes.

-        Assessment of the economic, social and environmental benefits and risks associated with use of genetically improved trees.

Characteristics

Character of work: Applied research, basic research, laboratory and field testing.

Major competence needed: Systems ecology, mathematic modelling, silviculture, molecular biology, genetics, wood material science, pathology, tree physiology and technology

Major on-going research projects:  Noveltree (IP), Cost Actions: E28, E42, E52, FP0603, FP0701, FP0703, FP0804, FP0902, FP0905

 

Expected achievements by 2020

-        New, flexible and adaptive systems for achieving sustainable forest management in changing environmental conditions and for higher yields.

-        Leadership in quantitative and biological sciences related to tree breeding.

-        Improved understanding of benefits and risks related to economic performance, social acceptance and environmental effects associated with the use of genetically improved trees.

-        Better understanding of how wood and fibre properties in growing trees can be modified to better meet the requirements of end products.

-        Strategies for sustainable forest plantations and tree farming to utilise genetically improved trees for specific purposes and environmental conditions.

-        A large increase in productivity in selected traits.

-        Reduced losses due to improved resistance and tolerance to biotic and abiotic, e.g. climate change, constraints

-         

Strategic Objective 1: Responsible use of forest resources

 

1.3 Cascade use of renewable materials

Rationale

Side streams resulting from harvesting operations and wood processing are regularly utilised as high value raw material for other types of processing. Low value tops and branches are used for energy. Another example is that wood chips from saw mills constitute valuable input to pulp mills. Furthermore, wood and wood based products have the inherent potential to be used as secondary raw material several times for the production of value added products.  As the processing of recycled material in many cases requires less energy than the processing of primary one recycling also saves on carbon emissions and wood based products store carbon over the their whole life time.  At the end of the cascading chain wood based products can still serve for the generation of bio-energy and reduce CO₂ emissions originating from fossil fuels.

By utilising the full potential of wood within cascading chains the added value generated and the jobs maintained or created is significantly higher than by transforming primary wood into bio-energy

State of the art 2010

-        The paper sector is already a champion with a recycling rate of 69% in 2010

-        This has been achieved through progress in paper collection & sorting, and in recycling /deinking technology despite more elaborated paper products (prints, stickies, more complex functional packaging)

-        Fibre quality of papers for recycling  has decreased (in packaging due to very high recycling rate) and ash content increased (graphic papers with lower grammage and more fillers & pigments)

-        Focus on increasing/maintaining recycling yield, with minimised fibre & filler losses

-        Limited final waste disposal possibilities have led to the development of alternative solutions (see “Waste less pulp & paper value chain”)

-        Reuse of wood construction material is less developed. Partly due to impurities is recycled construction material.

Examples of activities and research approaches

-        Better knowledge of stem wood characteristics in order to optimise allocation of raw material.

-        Recyclability of wood composites and construction material.

-        Development of environmentally friendly additives and impregnating agents in wood products.

-        Further improvement of paper collection with priority to separate collection. Societal concern requiring adapted policy

-        New paper and waste sorting technologies: new sensors to detect and technologies to separate different components (type of fibres, inks & fillers), new robots with high sorting velocities, etc.

-        Simplified and more cost and energy efficient deinking lines

-        New innovative breakthrough deinking technology to remove inks and stickies.

-        Improved selectivity of non-paper and fibre separation/fractionation technology. The right treatment on the right pulp fraction.

-        Controlled process water (stock prep, PM & effluents) physical-chemistry.

-        Development of fine / colloidal particle separation / extraction for optimal reuse /valorisation of fine components (more effective physical-chemical separation at micro-scale, new technology, e.g. ultra-sound boosted membrane filtration)

-        Recovered paper and pulp pre/treatments, including enzymatic processes

-        Considering by-stream valorisation in yield vs. pulp quality optimisation (see “Waste less pulp & paper value chain”)

-        Boosting / reactivating fibre properties (e.g. functionalization) & pulp/paper properties via additives (e.g. NFC, renewable starch alternative like hemicelluloses) for the different applications, including tissue

-        Progress in papermaking technology (e.g. stratification) allows increased use of recycled fibre at lower grammage, i.e. optimal use and reuse of virgin fibre

-        Eco-design of graphic and packaging paper products towards optimised  recyclability and material cascades towards zero waste

-        Utilisation of extracted wood polymers, nano fibrils, lignin, xylan, pulp fibres and paper in the development of ultra-lightweight composites in the fields of construction, interior design and packaging.

-        Adaption/modification of conventional manufacturing technologies to produce ultra-lightweight foamed composites with a minimum of environmental impact.

-        Utilisation of used wood from construction operations (scaffolds, concrete casting molds) as a biorefinery raw material

-        Utilisation of lignin from pulp mill black liquors for production of value added applications such as carbon fibres for lightweight materials

-        Production of electricity from the bioenergy surplus in kraft pulp mills

-        Utilisation of cellulose for replacement of cotton fibres in textiles

-        Utilisation of used printed matter without deinking necessities

Characteristics

Character of work: Basic, applied & demo research

Major competence needed: Physics, chemistry, material science, biotechnology, sensors, etc.

Major on-going research projects: SORT IT, SUNPAP, BoostEff, LignoFuel, LigniCarb, Innventias Cluster Biorefinery 2012-2014.

Expected achievements by 2020

-        The pulp & paper sector has taken control on recovered fibre resource (it’s a wish, a must vs. control by waste companies rather concerned by profit / energy than ready to adopt the fibre cascading approach) to secure the paper recycling loop towards 75% recycling rate

-        Well-developed paper collection systems and progress in sorting technology deliver controlled quality of recovered papers for the different paper grades. Recycling rates are increased in graphic and tissue grades.

-        New systems for recycling of primary wood based products and construction materials are developed.

-        More efficient and cost & energy effective production of chemical pulp,  mechanical pulp, paper production, deinking and recycling lines provide high recycled pulp quality together with fibre regeneration and selection, integrating new valorisation of diverted by-streams of lower quality fibres

-        The pulp and paper sector has integrated cascade use of mineral resources (fillers & pigments) in a cross sector approach (see “Waste less pulp & paper value chain”)

-        New processing technologies for wood-based polymers (lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose) developed.

-        Several new types of composites based on wood constituents and paper have been developed.

-        Commercialised products in one of the fields mentioned above and in at least another (not mentioned) have entered the market.

-        Composite products of wood-derived polymers and recovered wood fibres

 

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Strategic Objective 1; Responsible use of forest resources

 

1.4 Forest ecology and ecosystem services

Rationale

Understanding the ecological principles of the very diverse European forests is a first requirement, not only for a healthy forest, but also for a sustainable industry based on these resources. This ecological basis is changing, due to human influences but also due to environmental changes. 

Sound forest management, in intense and less intense systems, should be based on ecological principles and on biologically diverse forest landscapes. Genetic and species diversity in European forests is declining and the economic costs of the global loss of biodiversity are very large. There is also evidence that more biologically diverse ecosystems are more resilient to changing physical environments such as climate change.

 

Diverse forests provide society with a multitude of ecosystem services and multiple goods of wood and non-wood character (capturing 10% of EU’s CO2 emissions, being the main host for biodiversity, providing high-quality water, a green infrastructures for water conservation and for combating desertification and degradation, a favorite recreational objective, assuring employment and value added in rural areas and other benefits to society in general. Through these many services, the European forests are of large socio economic value.

State of the art 2010

A large share (~ 80%) of the current capacity in research related to forests is currently directed to forest ecology and forest management aspects. Much of this happens at the Member State level, and it provides at the Member State level, a good insight in forest dynamics, growth, and management models. Also ecological understanding is fairly good. However, fundamental understanding of responses, resilience and adaptation to climate change are lacking. Also interaction between management and ecological process, and the degree to which we humans influence the system remains ill understood. A better understanding is needed to create more intensively managed plantations, based on new provenances, and improved trees.

Ecosystem services are difficult to valuate, and apart from the quantification itself, our understanding of the socio economic and governance aspects surrounding the provision of goods and services are only at a very initial stage. The decline of provision of goods and services needs to be understood too, as well as its cause and the implied losses in the trade-off between production of market commodities and less-tangible ecosystem services. Incorporation of these goods and services into forest management, planning, policy instruments, and the understanding of the balance between them is of highest importance.  

Examples of activities and research approaches

-        Create new and better linked research infrastructure and sites to achieve innovation in the area of ecological understanding

-        Improve understanding of systems dynamics and feedbacks under global change, and aspects of resilience and adaptive capacity

-        Develop genetic knowledge, to generate new generations of trees, better suited to tailor  made wood supply

-        Improve insight in the value of environmental services to society and analyse efficiency of various financial incentive systems and instruments for enhanced provision of these

-        Develop socio-economic criteria and assessment schemes for eco-system services;

-        Improve the understanding of the role of forests in connection to water quality

-        Provide information on public policy tools aiming at ensuring ecosystem services of forests

Characteristics

Some of this ecological and forest management research is already long ongoing; e.g. some origins are already in the early 20^th century.  It has a long history of monitoring trials, and experimental, and manipulated plots for ecological research.  Since the 70’s this experimental work is enhanced with computer models, and ever larger sets of data, at higher levels of resolution. This has greatly enhanced insights. Still, the work is fragmented over many small groups, is sometimes seen as too traditional, and not innovative. 

The research on services, and its socio economic aspects and governance is only just starting. It concentrates on quantifying the services, their value, and on mechanisms of payments for environmental services.

Character of work:

Major competence needed:

Major ongoing research projects: MOTIVE, NEWFOREX, TREES4FUTURE, FUNDIVEUROPE, BACCARA

Expected achievements by 2020

-        Improved insights in the impacts, and feedbacks of global change on the entire system of European forests is achieved;

-        Local insights in ecological status, and shifts of biome are generated;

-        Insights in diversity from genes to ecosystems is gathered, and is the basis for new management regimes;

-        These ecological and management insights also serve tailor made wood supply, and multi-purpose use, and provision of services;

-        New modes of payments for environmental services are developed, and partially in place, and new models of governance are developed.

 

Strategic Objective 1: Responsible use of forest resources

 

1.5 Multi-purpose use of forests 

Rationale

The long history of sustainable forest management in Europe, and the limited resource, allows and asks for multipurpose use of the forest. A single use at stand level, or landscape level, would not suffice to give the forest its full value, provide all goods and services, nor compete with other land uses. Also, the diversifying and increasing nature of demands simply asks for multi-purpose use at all levels from stand to landscape, Member state level, and EU.

Still, multi-purpose use of forests allows spatial distribution of attention to a function, where there can be strict nature reserves as well as intensive plantations occurring in a region. This attention to a function is being directed by biotic and abiotic circumstances, vicinity of urban centers, as well as cultural historical aspects of forest management.

European forest tradition has had a large attention to wood production, although it varies significantly from region to region. Largest volumes are produced in northern regions, but largest economic values are produced in countries like France and Germany. More intense plantations are upcoming in the Atlantic Rim. For many owners, wood is the main source of income, and other functions (e.g. recreation, nature conservation) are usually perceived as a side effect, towards which the management is not really geared. This attention to wood production is shifting for many owners to a more integrated forest management, sometimes nature oriented. The development needs concern feasible Decision support systems as well as development and tests of innovative guidance approaches that meet the social conditions and forest-related skills of the changing land-owners.

 

State of the art 2010

Forest management models have traditionally been directed to wood production in even-aged and mono species stands. Ample data, knowledge and models have been developed at various scales. However, understanding of how a forest at the stand, region, or Member state level can fulfill many functions at the same time and place, in an optimal way, is hardly understood. Also interaction with society to deal with these multiple wishes is hardly understood and often the interaction with society leads to conflicts. Governance and regulations related to multi-purpose forestry is another aspect hardly understood. Science tries to address this with e.g. multi criteria decision support tools that address trade-offs, but it is in its infancy.  

Examples of activities and research approaches

-        Develop new modes of stakeholder based adaptive management to fulfill all functions of the forest, optimally separated or integrated at various scales and under different regional conditions.

-        Provide insight in production potential of wood products, as well as new forest-based products, specialised products, and provision of the wide variety of non-wood services.

-        Technical, biological and value based trade-offs between the multiple functions need to be understood, both a small and large spatial scales, to form the basis for socially optimal integration or separation of functions

-        The interaction between forest managers and society (local stakeholders as well as broader interest groups) are to be improved, and research into governance modes, adaptive planning and instruments supporting that is needed.  

Characteristics

Traditionally this area of functionality of forest has concentrated on the wood production function. Long term trials and monitoring, and selection of tree provenances was a large share of the work. This is still important, but alone does not suffice anymore.

This area is now totally re-opened by new types of demand (biodiversity, recreation, carbon sinks, specialised wood varieties, soil and water protection, water production) under global change.  This sets requirements for innovative research also with regard to environmental services, and complex governance and societal issues in relation to many functions.

Character of work:

Major competence needed:

Major ongoing research projects:

Expected achievements by 2020

-        Understanding of the multipurpose/joint production system that the forest is, and how improved understand of both technological/biological and value based aspects of this can support an enhanced planning allowing for optimal separation/integration of functions. The multiple functions (next to wood as a source of income) are further developed in concrete policy options and incorporated in policy instruments and regulations.

-        The decline of provision of some goods and services is better understood as well as its cause of pressure.

-        Differentiation of forest functions across the landscape is optimised, and policy and governance tools supporting multifunctional integration or functional separation are identified. 

-        Incorporation of these goods and services into forest management, their trade-offs,  and the understanding of the balance between them has been done, and is being put into practice.

-        Societal developments (e.g. creating new markets, development of new forest owner types), and arising new demands are understood and incorporated in forest management and market models.

-        New business concepts for multi-purpose forestry are in place, based on collaborative concepts between forest owners, societies, and processing industry.

-        Carbon trading and other footprint allowances are in place.