Research need from Focus Group: Developing user-friendly information platforms and new tools (map based) to exchange knowledge on forest management planning in the long term (multi‐objective approach) across European regions

This need for research has been identified in FG 20 on “forest biomass”. If you want to know more about it, check the final report of the Focus Group.

The use of appropriate decision support systems and tools can be a key driver for an increased mobilisation of forest biomass in Europe, especially if they are targeted to non-industrial private forest owners (NIPF) who represent a significant potential of currently under-used forest biomass. NIPF may become important players at local and even on the global market if they are grouped through innovative forms of cooperation.

While there are many tools and methods available to help NIPF owners put sustainable biomass mobilisation theory into practice, there are many barriers preventing their wider use, and more efforts are needed to develop and spread information on simplified tools. To ensure a more successful uptake in the use of these tools they need to be user friendly; which can only happen if they are considered credible, and have been checked and tested by forest owners and other stakeholders before implementation.

Existing data should be presented clearly and should be made easily available. The question that needs to be addressed is – what data is available; how can it best be made available and used and what is still needed. Potential users should be informed and trained when data is gathered and tools are developed.

Decision support systems and tools for owners should cover not only the economic factors of woodland management, thinning regimes, infrastructure needs, harvesting and extraction techniques, species choice, etc. but also topics of biodiversity, nature conservation and wildlife management. Furthermore They should be multi-objective approach, so as to include the current environmental and social needs and indicators (i.e. CO² storage etc.).