BECC AG: Resilient Forests

Boreal and hemiboreal forests are expected to be particularly exposed and vulnerable to climate change due to the extreme changes predicted at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere. Moreover, these forests, are traditionally managed in Europe as monospecific even-aged forests, a type of management which increases their vulnerability to environmental changes.
This vulnerability calls for action to better understand the risks connected to climate change and the barriers to forest management change. Based on the gained knowledge, it will be possible to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies and thereby improve Nordic forests’ resilience.

Aim and objectives of the AG
Foster collaboration between research groups in BECC to find solutions to increase resilience of boreal and hemiboreal forests. This will be achieved by:
• Connecting experimental research and remote sensing to ecosystem modelling.
• Linking natural science to research investigating social and cultural factors influencing forest management.
•Transferring knowledge to stakeholders and the next generation of researchers.