BIOREFOREST

A major new European research initiative called BIOREFOREST has officially launched, uniting scientists, forest managers and local communities with the aim of rethinking reforestation to increase climate resilience and biodiversity. This ambitious project collaborates closely with the people who know their forests best to create practical, science-based solutions to the challenges they face. Europes forests are facing unprecedented challenges. Climate change, an increase in disturbance events, a decline in biodiversity, and the spread of pathogens are putting considerable pressure on forest ecosystems and the people who depend on them. Meanwhile, reforestation is gaining political and economic relevance as a response to the climate crisis. The BIOREFOREST project aims to ensure that these efforts are ecologically sound and based on robust evidence, while also being tailored to the real-world needs of forest owners, managers and communities. At the heart of the project lies a collaborative approach: forest practitioners, stakeholders and scientists will jointly develop practical tools and economically sound strategies that enhance biodiversity, boost resilience to climate change and increase carbon storage. The project will study over 300 sites across Europe, combining high-resolution satellite observations with ecological fieldwork, soil and biodiversity analyses, and the first-hand knowledge of forest practitioners. Cutting-edge modelling, including explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), will then be employed to predict the success, risks and long-term effects of various reforestation strategies. The project will also provide training, multilingual resources and networking opportunities to build skills and share knowledge across Europe. The initiative will collaborate closely with policymakers and organisations in each participating country to ensure that its findings influence future forestry strategies. By 2029, BIOREFOREST will have established a network of partners to develop practical tools, share knowledge and provide science-based recommendations. The goal is to create diverse, robust forests that are ecologically rich, economically viable and built to last. BIOREFOREST is a pan-European initiative funded by Biodiversa+, with each partner receiving support from their respective national research agencies. Led by the University of Coburg (Germany) in biology, the consortium brings together the following top institutions: The University of Bologna (Italy) specialises in forestry; the Swiss Federal Research Institute (WSL) specialises in entomology; MITUNI University (Sweden) specialises in natural sciences; BOKU University (Austria) specialises in tree regeneration ecology and forest sciences; ACTeon (France) specialises in stakeholder engagement; the University of Mlaga (Spain) specialises in remote sensing and computer science; and INRAE/LESSEM (France) specialises in forest economics. This blend of expertise, ranging from field research to digital innovation and stakeholder engagement, ensures a holistic, practitioner-driven approach to reforestation. For more information, visit wwwbioreforest.org or contact Matthias Noll at matthias.noll@hs-coburg.de or Georg Gratzer at georg.gratzer@boku.ac.at