Collaborative Dynamics at the Forest–Climate Nexus: Merging Practice with Science

The forest-climate nexus highlights the challenges and the opportunities for change within communities resulting from the multifaceted relationships that arise over time and in specific geographic contexts. The relationships between society, forest and climate are essential for transformation, leveraging the understanding of ecological and physical processes which are strongly correlated to forest management and governance. In forestry, global discussions have polarized the discourse on climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, societal needs emerging from conflicts at the forefront of forest-climate nexus have shown the crucial role of human and local dimensions which is not surprisingly, mediated by international framing of events. To shed the light on the importance of collaboration, science-practice interactions contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, often through knowledge transfer under the form of dialogue, engaging communities in contributing to a better knowledge base for practical decision-making. Developing forest management policies as well as forest-wood chain towards sustainability requires a high level of cooperation between stakeholders including forest owners, wood industries, public authority and local communities as recipients of a diversity of forest services. 

This study provides insights on forest practitioners and their forest management plans across Europe in relation to climate change. It facilitates knowledge transfer among different types of actors across different European forest ecosystems and their species composition but also provides an overview of the stakeholder’s knowledge regarding climate change impacts, the adaptation measures they have implemented, and the challenges they face in mitigating climate change. 

The methodological approach is based on empirical social science research methods with an emphasis on a bottom-up approach which was carried out through 56 semi-structured face-to-face interviews performed in 8 case study areas (CSA) in Europe (Italy, Spain, Romania, Austria, Germany, UK, Lithuania, Norway) with relevant stakeholders. This was complemented by primary and secondary document analysis of forest management practices, selected upon criteria including ecosystem services. Under the forest-climate nexus, stakeholders from all CSAs have reported an increase in climatic parameters such as  extreme weather events like strong wind-storms and wind throws. This was complemented by the perceived climate change impact on forests, especially the expansion of the growing season and increased pest activity. This is the case of more bark beetle flights which have been the most seen impact on forests with a negative sentiment of on-going increment of the warming trend, but also regarding the demand for firewood due to warmer winters. Adaptation measures have prioritized natural regeneration and maintaining continuous forest cover while avoiding gaps. However, challenges and barriers in implementation hinders transition to more adapted species and lower production cycles, increasing the uncertainty of climate change related impacts. The analysis suggests a need for more flexible and supportive policies, as well as financial incentives, to enable forest managers to effectively adapt to the changing climate and its medium to long term impact, a conclusion which validates that collaboration through knowledge transfer addresses existing on-ground problems and should be used more.