Themes

Forest use vs. forest protection

From wood production to biodiversity conservation and climate regulation: forests provide a multitude of services to society.

However, varying demands or emphasis towards particular services may result in conflicts of interest. To ensure sustainable forest management, the provision of valuable ecosystem services, and the maintenance of biodiversity in the long-term, we need to base our decisions on the best available data and scientific knowledge, and to consider potentially resulting trade-offs. In MULTIPLIERS, students will engage with scientists, foresters, nature conservation managers, and other relevant actors. Hands-on training will take place, for instance, in demonstration sites with so-called marteloscopes, where the ecological and economic value of trees can be investigated in training and educational exercises in the forest. These real-life examples will increase students’ commitment and willingness/ability to discuss complex topics and trade-offs, to make decisions based on economic, ecological, cultural, and social perspectives on forests, to find compromises, and to develop different pathways for action. This activity will first take place in Sweden and is later planned to occur in Germany.