Sustainable forest management

Forest resources data is the backbone of sustainable use of forests; we need to know how much there is to know how much we can use, taking into account environmental, economic and social preconditions. Recognition of the possibilities of forests in mitigating climate change, not only through direct carbon sequestration but also as a source of climate-smart raw-materials, has increased the demand for information on forest and tree resources.

Luke monitors the forest resources and state of forests in Finland with the National Forest Inventory (NFI). The data are merged with other information sources, models and economic data to make scenarios on the development of forests under different management strategies to support political and economic decision making. Luke has close cooperation with other European institutes and research organizations to develop forest information and decision making on a European level.

Enhanced resilience with adaptive breeding

From tree breeding to continuous cover forestry and impacts on waterways, Luke’s contribution to forestry research is diverse. Climate change can increase forest vulnerability to damage and disease, reduce forest health and productivity, and cause economic losses. Our research on, for example, forest damage and adaptive breeding aims to increase forest survival and maintain its productivity, sustainability and resilience of forests.

Somatic embryogenesis is another example of rather new, interesting methods on our research agenda. It helps provide homogeneous seeds for increased growth, but also gives more information for genomic selection, which could help make trees more resistant to certain pathogens. Luke is heavily involved in tree genetics and genomics research to find new solutions to support sustainability.

Fighting climate change requires proven knowledge

Continuous cover forestry is a topic that is under a rather vivid debate. In any case, the method

SuoPPP

Purpose: Towards sustainable peatland forestry - solutions for economic and ecological challenges (SuoPPP) aims to produce science-based information to improve ecological and economic sustainability of peatland forestry. Impact: The project produces concrete guidance for people and organisations within forestry about how different forestry practices, such as continuous cover forestry or strip cutting affect the sustainability of peatland forests and how the practices could be developed. Partners: 7 Financier: Luke and partner companies (public–private partnership)

B4EST

Purpose: To provide forest tree breeders, forest owners, managers and policy makers with better scientific knowledge to deal with forest vulnerability caused by climate change. Impact: The project aims to increase forest survival, health, resilience and productivity under these circumstances, while maintaining genetic diversity and key ecological functions, and fostering a competitive EU bio-based economy. Partners: 19 Financier: Horizon 2020 seems to be particularly beneficial in storing carbon in peat swamp forests, which help mitigate climate change. Luke studies continuous cover forestry beginning with its biological and technical foundations all the way to its economic, social and ecological impacts and operating models. And as climate is warming, the demand for prov

EFFORTE

Purpose: EFFORTE provides the European forestry sector with new knowledge and knowhow that will significantly improve the possibilities of forest enterprises to assemble and adopt novel technologies and procedures. It’s based on three key elements of technology and knowhow: understanding the fundamentals of soil mechanics, realizing the potential of mechanization in silvicultural operations, and utilizing Big Data. Impact: The project aims to enhance efficiency in forest operations, increase forest growth and sustainable forestry, promote cost-competitive bio-based industry, and accelerate the regional economic development. Partners: 23 Financier: Bio-Based Industries

SOMAGENO

Purpose: SOMEGENO analyzes possibilities of early selection for resistance against a major forest pathogen Heterobasidion annosum in connection to somatic embryogenesis (SE) of Norway spruce. Impact: Adding value to producers and users of SE plants and deploying plant material more resistant to root rot and, thus, decreasing environmental and economic hazards. Partners: 2

Financier: Tandem Forest Values en knowledge on managing peat swamp forests is growing.

Luke is also at the forefront of research related to smart technologies used in forest management and wood supply. The aim is to create more cost effective and environmentally sustainable methods for forest management and harvesting.