FOREST4EU Booklet Extended Summaries - Innovation Topic Hub 3: Sustainable Forest Management And Ecosystem Services

EXTENDED SUMMARIES ITHub 3 Sustainable Forest Management And Ecosystem Services ITHub 3 – Sustainable forest management & ecosystem services (36 extended summaries) Overview of the extended summaries of ITHub 3. Title of innovation Operational Groups (short name) Country 1 Biomass accounting for Sustainible Forest Managment Plans GO-SURF Italy 2 Keys for Forest Types Classification Schemes to support the reporting of Support Sustainable Forest Management Indicators in Various Contexts GO-SURF Italy 3 The ARCHI method : a tool for diagnosing the vitality of trees OG SPNA France, NouvelleAquitaine 4 Vigil'encre : Participatory science tool for epidemiological surveillance of chestnut ink OG SPNA France, NouvelleAquitaine 5 Forestry training : Marteloscope and reference sites OG SPNA France, NouvelleAquitaine 6 Label Bas Carbone : a national forest carbon offsetting framework OG SPNA France, NouvelleAquitaine 7 Specific silvicultural itineraries to optimize the production of quality timber and economic yield of Pinus pinaster. OG SIGCA Spain 8 Mapping of forest roads to support tourism activities GO-SURF Italy 9 Support multi-object forest management plans through easy-access information GO-PRI.FOR.MAN Italy 10 Community forest arrangement as ideal instance for the realization of the profitsharing model of PRIFORMAN Project GO-PRI.FOR.MAN Italy 11 Formula proposal for the profit-sharing model for community forest arrangement GO-PRI.FOR.MAN Italy 12 Creation of clonal seed orchards for the conservation of Douglas-fir germplasm Do.Na.To Italy 13 Good practices in Do.Na.To Project communication and technical formation Do.Na.To Italy 14 GO SURF: decision support system for a participatory approach to forest management. GO-SURF Italy 15 Characterisation of the genetic diversity of the chestnut heritage, soil biodiversity and biofertility Emilia-Romagna Biodiversamente Castagno Italy 16 CASTANIBUS Biodiversamente Castagno Italy 17 Use of Bite technology for tree infusion in chestnut groves INGECA Italy 18 Carbon accounting for PES GO-FOR.TRACK Italy 19 Questionnaire for the assessment of the willingness to pay for cultural-tourist ecosystem services BIOSEIFORTE Italy 20 Integrated Management of the Pine Forest/Pine wood Nematode GI (PIN) Portugal 21 Assessment of the drudgery of work during the planting phase PIF France 22 Innovative tool to reduce the arduousness of technical planting operations: the redesigned planting pickaxe PIF France 23 Technology at the service of forest renewal - mapping with drone and GPS to stake out the stand PIF France 24 Group management trial FPP-EGG France 25 Innovative tools for collaborative forest management OG OUI-GEF France 26 Using UAV photogrammetric data to support multi-objective forest management plans GO-SURF Italy 27 Decisional Support System to support the revision of forest management plans GO-FOR.TRACK Italy 28 A User-Friendly Platform for Bridging the Gap between Carbon Credit Demand and Supply. CO2MARCHE Italy 29 Developing a Novel Martelloscope for Assessing Biodiversity and Growing Stock Volume with the Aid of a Digital Twin. BIOSEIFORTE Italy 30 Training for Forest Technicians, Researchers, and Employees on Fundraising and Communication Topics as Assets for Ecosystem Services Enhancement Projects. CO2MARCHE Italy 31 Training for Forest Operators in Intervention Techniques to Enhance Carbon Credit Generation CO2MARCHE Italy 32 Group Certification for Sustainable Forest Management: Promoting Shared Forest Management and Ecosystem Services Enhancement CO2MARCHE Italy 33 Enhancing Additionality Assessment of Carbon Credit of Various Interventions by Utilizing Site-Specific Historical Data in Compliance with IPCC International Standards CO2MARCHE Italy 34 Efficient Sampling Methodology for Calculating Soil Carbon Credits. CO2MARCHE Italy 35 Assesing the efficiency of different prevetion methods of pine pitch canker, and the creation of a manual with the good pratices to follow in plant nurseries GO +PrevCRP Portugal 36 Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP): a practical tool for forest managers OG Douglas France ITHub 3 - 1 Title of innovation Biomass accounting for Sustainable Forest Managment Plans using UAV data ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-SURF Operational Group (name) DECISION SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE FOREST PLANNING Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest owners, forest company, NGOs, research institutions, advisor Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/supporto-decisionale-alla-pianificazione-forestale Country, region, city Tuscany, Italy Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; silviculture Approach and main results Forest biomass and carbon play a crucial role in the development of strategies aimed at implementing multi-objective forest management plans. Estimating forest biomass is essential for assessing carbon sequestration and the potential carbon balance of forest ecosystems. Forests, acting as significant carbon sinks, provide a valuable means to reduce atmospheric carbon levels. Accurate estimation of carbon stored in forests is vital to support climate change mitigation efforts and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Recent research activities have shown great potential in using 3D data derived from images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for forest biomass estimation. This approach has proven to reduce costs and improve estimation accuracy. In the context of GO-SURF, UAV photogrammetric data was acquired using an RGB camera in five tested areas (Vallombrosa, Monte Morello, Rincine, Grosseto, Maesano, Pizzorne) to serve as a basis for extracting predictors of forest biomass. GO-SURF has been working on this, as estimating forest biomass is crucial for quantifying carbon credits and additionality within the voluntary carbon market, which is currently the only available market in Italy. Additionally, establishing standard procedures for estimating business-asusual carbon stocks is necessary according to many voluntary carbon market standards. The UAV data provided very high-resolution data with a derived 3D point cloud density of 50 points/m2, allowing for the creation of a Canopy Height Model (CHM) using an available regional LiDAR dataset for normalization. For each of the tested areas, a high-resolution biomass map with a spatial resolution of 23x23 m was derived using a model approach. The map was created by using forest inventory plots as input data, predictors calculated based on the CHM, and high-resolution forest tree species maps. In each tested area different types of spatialization models were tested, including both parametric (linear) and non-parametric models (random forest and k-nn), in order to develop the best model for estimating the biomass. The generated maps were then validated through ground surveys and implemented into the Decision Support System Platform developed by GOSURF. This resulted in the first high-resolution biomass map for the study area, which can be used in conjunction with additional layers derived in GO-SURF for various analyses in order to establish multi-objective forest management plans. The derived high-resolution biomass map is available within the Decision Support System Platform developed in the context of GO-SURF. Lessons learned UAVs provide reliable predictors of biomass. The test areas exhibit diverse forest types and topography, and the Root Mean Square error obtained through the model approach is consistent across all areas. This indicates that the instrument's applicability can be beneficial in various contexts. In the tested areas, the biomass map is highly accurate, as it is calibrated to the specific area. The map offers spatial information that cannot be generated using traditional data sources. It enhances the optimization of forest interventions and provides greater precision. Forest managers in the tested areas have emphasized that the biomass map serves as a valuable starting point for considering carbon credits and designing the business-as-usual scenario. Contact information Francesca Giannetti (francesca.giannet[email protected]) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 2 Title of innovation Keys for Forest Types Classification Schemes to support the reporting of Support Sustainable Forest Management Indicators in Various Contexts ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-SURF Operational Group (name) DECISION SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE FOREST PLANNING Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest owners, forest company, NGOs, research institutions, advisor Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/supporto-decisionale-alla-pianificazione-forestale Country, region, city Italy, Tuscany Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; selviculturale; Multifunctional forest management Approach and main results Tree species composition is a crucial indicator for sustainable forest management. It allows for the assessment of forest practices and ecosystem health. It provides valuable information on biodiversity, carbon sequestration, forest health, and social and economic benefits. Tree species composition refers to the types and distribution of tree species within a forest area. It plays a vital role in determining forest structure, function, and ecosystem services. The composition of tree species directly impacts forest biodiversity, as different species provide habitats for various organisms. It also influences the productivity and resilience of the forest, as certain species may be better adapted to specific environmental conditions or exhibit different growth rates. Understanding tree species composition is essential for promoting sustainable forest management. It helps identify potential threats, such as invasive species or imbalances in species diversity. It also informs decisions related to forest restoration, conservation, and the promotion of specific tree species for particular objectives, such as timber production, carbon sequestration, or habitat conservation. However, when it comes to Sustainable Forest Management Indicators, different organizations may require different classification schemes for forest tree species. This can pose a challenge for forest managers when reporting data. Therefore, it is important to provide them with user-friendly tools, such as keys or tables, that facilitate the transition between different classification systems and make the process easier for them. GO-SURF, in response to this challenge identified by forest managers involved in forest management plans, has attempted to solve this issue in the Tuscany Region where four different forest types classification schemes are established. These include the European Forest Types classification scheme, the Tuscany Forest Types Classification Scheme, the National Forest Inventory Classification Scheme, and the Corine Land Cover Italy 4-level classification Scheme. In this context, GO-SURF has developed user-friendly tables in collaboration with experts to guide forest managers in classifying forest types according to the different nomenclature systems. This allows forest managers to use the forest types classification system with which they are most familiar, and then use the table to transitioning the types from one system to another. This facilitates the reporting of various Sustainable Forest Indicators in different contexts, such as at the European, national, and regional levels, as required by different authorities. Lessons learned In the context of the Tuscany region, the inconsistency of forest classification systems has been identified as a problem by forest managers, leading technicians to duplicate their work in classifying forests. This also sometimes results in the use of different systems that are not comparable. The initiative to develop keys for transitioning between different classification systems has been well received by managers involved in the OG, and these keys are now being utilized by others OG of the project, as they are made available on the GO-SURF website. This issue has also been observed in other Italian contexts, including forest inventories, where different countries employ different classification systems. For biodiversity monitoring, GO-SURF has emphasized the need for standardization efforts, even through simple solutions such as transition tables. Contact information Francesca Giannetti (francesca.giannet[email protected]) Links to website/report/video https://www.go-surf.it/download-2/2-report.html?download=4:quadro-diriferimento-sulle-tipologie-forestali-e-sistema-nomenclaturale Pictures ITHub 3 - 3 Title of innovation The ARCHI method : a tool for diagnosing the vitality of trees ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) CNPF Operational Group (short name) SPNA Operational Group (name) SPNA : Precision silviculture in Nouvelle-Aquitaine Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest owners, researchers, advisors Link from OGs database https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/sylviculturede-pr%C3%A9cision-en-nouvelle-aquitaine.html Country, region, city France, Nouvelle Aquitaine Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Forestry, Health tree, diagnosis, decision support tool Lessons learned The interest of marteloscopes and reference sites is that they represent a practical tool for training in silvicultural management. Contact information [email protected] Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 6 Title of innovation Label Bas Carbone : a national forest carbon offsetting framework ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) CNPF Operational Group (short name) SPNA Operational Group (name) SPNA : Precision silviculture in Nouvelle-Aquitaine Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest owners, reaserchers, advisors, private companies Link from OGs database https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/sylviculturede-pr%C3%A9cision-en-nouvelle-aquitaine.html Country, region, city France, Nouvelle Aquitaine Type of innovation Service Keywords Forestry, forest carbon stocking, climate change mitigation Approach and main results Carbon sequestration is an ecosystem service that forests and foresters provide to society. This action focuses on assessing the forest carbon balance of the Fumel area. A study on the wood resource was conducted in 2014 on the territory of the community of municipalities of Fumel Vallée du Lot and Montflanquinois. Having such data for this territory is valuable: these measurements were remobilized in the framework of the SPNA project to derive information on the "carbon balance" of local forests. The calculations show carbon stocks of 931 ± 120 thousand tons of carbon in the biomass and 672 thousand tons of carbon in the soil and litter. The flux study shows that the territory's forests are still a net carbon sink, although the dieback of chestnut coppice is a concern and could turn local forests into carbon sources. The LBC is a a French standard for carbon offsetting projects. It is used to label the contribution of companies and communities to CO2 sequestration projects in the forest. Currently there are 3 validated methods for labeling forest carbon offset projects: - Afforestation of agricultural land or bushy wastelands; - Reconstitution of degraded forests (storm, fire, intense dieback); - Conversion of good thickets into high forests on stumps. Lessons learned The community Fumel Vallée du Lot also sees it as an opportunity to promote the renewal of dying chestnut trees, as the forest is an important local resource for many businesses. Contact information [email protected] Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 7 Title of innovation Specific silvicultural itineraries to optimize the production of quality timber and economic yield of Pinus pinaster. ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) Cesefor Operational Group (short name) GO SIGCA Operational Group (name) SiGCa: Forest management systems in quality timber producing forests Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest Owners Link from OGs database https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/sigcasistemas-de-gesti%C3%B3n-forestal-en-bosques.html Country, region, city Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia and Castilla León Type of innovation Process Keywords Forest industries; wood mobilization Approach and main results Four silvicultural scenarios have been developed that take into account timber quality. The silvicultural scenarios are: Standard silvicultural scenario (M2): In the M2 silvicultural scenario there will be timber harvesting in 3 thinnings and in the final felling. Short shift silvicultural scenario with subsidies (M4): In the silvicultural scenario M4 we will have timber harvesting in 1 thinning and in the final cut. No management silvicultural scenario (M8): The no management silvicultural scenario from the initial planting, with a density of 1250 trees/ha, must assume that there is natural mortality, at least in the poorer seasonal qualities. This effect can be of the order of 10-20 % in number of trees of about 5-10 % in volume at the end of the shift. In this analysis we have assumed it to be 10 % in volume, although this may be lower than values that may occur in reality. We also assume it to be uniform across all grades, although it may be more logical to assume a higher incidence in smaller individuals. In the silvicultural scenario M8 we will only have timber harvesting in the final cut. Multi-product silvicultural scenario (MG2): For the MG2 silvicultural scenario, two possible alternatives will be considered, with plantation and with natural regeneration, which means two totally different economic scenarios. MG2 with plantation: In the silvicultural scenario MG2 we will have timber harvesting in 2 thinnings and in the final cut. MG2 with natural regeneration followed by thinning after 5 years: In the MG2 silvicultural scenario with natural regeneration we will have timber harvesting in 2 thinnings and in the final felling. Lessons learned Four silvicultural models have been developed taking into account timber quality. The main conclusion we can draw from this economic analysis is that the minimum site quality that ensures economic profit is in medium sites (dominant height from 16 m to 20 years) for any silvicultural scenario of prices and interest on money. In lower quality sites it is only possible to obtain profitability if good natural regeneration is possible and with the help of subsidies for non-self-financing treatments. The next conclusion is that the silvicultural scenario MG2 is the best in all qualities and scenarios, except for quality 7 m with an interest rate of 2 %. With this silvicultural regime a higher profitability is achieved than in the M2 scenario, the second best in all cases, but with the advantage of needing 5 years less to achieve it and it is also achieved with one less silvicultural action. If we compare the MG2 scenarios with and without planting, it shows that natural regeneration is more profitable, mainly because of the savings from not having to plant, which is more expensive than the thinning that has to be done with natural regeneration. Contact information [email protected] Links to website/report/video https://www.sigcamaderadecalidad.info/ Pictures ITHub 3 - 8 Title of innovation Mapping of forest roads to support touristic activities ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-SURF Operational Group (name) DECISION SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE FOREST PLANNING Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; selviculturale Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/supporto-decisionale-alla-pianificazione-forestale Country, region, city Tuscany, Italy Type of innovation Service Keywords Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; selviculturale Approach and main results Mapping forest roads is important for various aspects related to sustainable forest management. In the context of guiding forestry companies towards multifunctionality beyond just production, especially if aiming for certification under PEFC and FSC standards for forest services, it is necessary to map and keep records of other indicators, including forest road infrastructure and their functionality. In this context, expediting the mapping of existing forest roads and identifying potential issues is crucial for intervention. From a tourism and accessibility perspective, it is also essential to determine which means of transportation can be used on these roads (walking, biking, accessibility for people with disabilities). In this context, GO-SURF, in its test areas, used GNSS receivers to map existing roads and classified them based on their functionality, thereby preliminarily identifying existing and potentially accessible routes, while also identifying any maintenance issues. The result led to the mapping of the existing road network and its condition, which is a prerequisite for identifying additional trails to open up within the forest. Lessons learned Using low-cost GNSS receivers and/or mobile app development, it is indeed possible to map forest road infrastructure quite easily. Unfortunately, due to a lack of management over the past 30 years, some of the old routes and trails have been lost in certain areas. This discrepancy has resulted in a reduced level of existing and usable road infrastructure for tourism purposes compared to what was expected based on regional technical maps. However, looking to the future, with the assistance of GNSS receivers, it will be possible to identify additional potential routes to be opened up. Contact information Francesca Giannetti (francesca.giannet[email protected]) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 9 Title of innovation Support multi-object forest management plans through easy-access information ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-PRI.FOR.MAN Operational Group (name) Shared PRIvate FORest MANagement in Eastern Alps Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest companies, advisors, research institutions Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/gestione-condivisa-delle-proprieta-forestali Country, region, city Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy Type of innovation Service Keywords Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; selviculturale Approach and main results To support sustainable forest management aimed at maximizing ecosystem services through new silvicultural practices, it is essential to have access to a range of information that enables forest managers to quickly retrieve data, with the ultimate goal of achieving certification for ecosystem services. In this context, PRI.FOR.MAN, which has developed a decision support system in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, provides various user-friendly graphical interface access to diverse information. In this context PRI.FOR.MAN DSS provide userfriendly information regarding (i) the Forest Types Categories that define the classification of forested areas based on specific criteria such as land use, productivity, conservation; (ii) Availability of Existing Forest Management Plans, that outline strategies and objectives for the sustainable management of forest resources in a specific area, that guide management actions over time; (iii) Forest Roads: The network of forest roads is vital for accessibility and forest area management not just for wood mobilization but also for touristic activities; (iv) Annual Growth of wood: This value indicates the average annual growth of forest resources and influences the capacity of resource renewal; (v) Presence of Disturbances: This may include events like fires, diseases, or insect infestations that affect tree health and require specific management actions; (vi) Environmental Constraints: These encompass considerations related to environmental conservation and protection, (vii) Protective Role of Forest Vegetation: This concerns the significance of forest vegetation in providing ecosystem services such as soil protection and water cycle regulation; (viii) Location of Biotopes, Parks, and Regional or State Reserves: These are ecologically significant sites or protected areas requiring special management for biodiversity conservation; (ix) Natura 2000 Sites: These are designated sites within the European Union's Natura 2000 network, necessitating specific conservation and development measures based on prevailing regulations. All these elements are fundamental for sustainable forest management, which aims to balance the utilization of forest resources with the conservation of the natural environment. They provide essential information for forest managers to develop multi-objective forest management plans and actions that are not only linked with wood mobilization but also with biodiversity conservation, tourist activities, and the monitoring of forest health. Before the PRI.FOR.MAN, this information was already available online but scattered across various local authority websites. The PRI.FOR.MAN project has allowed for the consolidation of these data into a single container, the Decision Support System (DSS), designed specifically for the forest context. Lessons learned Harmonizing information and making it available in user-friendly systems is crucial to ensure data accessibility. Otherwise, users trying to navigate across different portals may struggle to access the information, leading to its underutilization. Without the use of information, it becomes challenging to plan multi-objective management strategies, and there's a risk of abandonment of forested areas. Contact information Francesca Giannetti (francesca.giannet[email protected]) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 10 Title of innovation Community forest arrangements as ideal instance for the realization of the profitsharing model of PRIFORMAN Project ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-PRI.FOR.MAN Operational Group (name) Shared PRIvate FORest MANagement in Eastern Alps Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental Forest companies, advisors, research institutions groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/gestione-condivisa-delle-proprieta-forestali Country, region, city Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia Type of innovation Organisational innovation Keywords Innovation social systems, Sustainable Forest Management, Multifunctional forest management, Cooperation Approach and main results Community forest arrangements are tools for the development of business networks in forestry sector, to valorise public and private agro-silvo-pastoral lands, encourage provision of ecosystem services and conservation. They’re among the instruments recommended by the TUFF and other provisions of the Italian legal system for the associated management of forests. They offer the possibility of participation not only to companies, but also to small forest owners, regardless of the size of the area of land. This enables small forest owners to ''join forces'' to manage their forests and possibly outsource their management, thus overcoming the problem of 'inactive' owners (lack of physical presence of owners in the area), the problem of ‘fragmentation’ of forests properties and the possible lack of forestry management knowledge. The creation community forest arrangements, with the application of the profit-sharing model created by PRI.FOR.MAN, gives the possibility of an allocation of profits not limited to timber extraction, but provided by multifunctional management based on the desiderata of the contractors and the reference regulations. This binome ‘community forest agreement - profitsharing model represents a sustainable model both from the economic point of view (as it allows not only a reduction in costs, but also an increase in profits), the environmental point of view (as it ensures proper management of forests), and the social point of view (as it represents a form of participatory forest management, which could also help to maintain the population of mountain areas). From the social and technical meetings held during the project emerged some critical issues that need to be addressed in the project follow-up. The first difficulty encountered was to contact all the forest owners. Afterwords was noticed a general owners’ mistrust in delegating the management of their funds to third parties for prolonged periods of time, even in the face of clear and reliable legal and technical instruments. Moreover, they showed a common preference to sell the standing forest in order to have a high periodic income rather than opting for an annualisation of profits from shared management, and the preference of purchasing contracts with utilisation companies for individual utilisations, rather than the possibility of taking multiyear management with the associated risks. During the PRI.FOR.MAN project was produced the contract proposal with the application of the profit-sharing model, but it still need to be signed up by forest owners. The now ongoing NET4GO Project, in Veneto, will focus on putting into practice this innovation. Lessons learned Community forest arrangements are multifunctional tools that provides economical, environmental and social, allowing to overcome many difficulties linked to forest management. They're the most suitable instrument for the implementation of the profit-sharing model devised within the Project and fot the success of community forest management. However, to be applied and overcome the general owners' mistrust it’s higly necessary to explain the given possibilities, by giving examples of realities that achieved positive outcomes (D’Adderzio, 2023). Contact information Solaria Anzilotti solaria.anzilot[email protected] Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 11 Title of innovation Sharing-profits methodology for community forest arrangement ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-PRI.FOR.MAN Operational Group (name) Shared PRIvate FORest MANagement in Eastern Alps Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, Forest companies, advisors, research institutions consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/gestione-condivisa-delle-proprieta-forestali Country, region, city Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia Type of innovation Social innovation Keywords Innovation social systems, Sustainable Forest Management, Multifunctional forest management, Cooperation Approach and main results The economical objective of PRI.FOR.MAN Project was to develop a new sharing-profit methodology to recognise the adequate profit from timber harvesting to each private forest owner in the context of community forest management. The concept of "condominium" associated with forest areas has already been used in some initiatives of shared forest management, but in this case the innovation regards the method of profit-sharing. In fact, the easy profit-sharing method by adopting a millesimal system, thus based on surface area alone (similar to that used in condominium management), would have penalised small owners, who represent a very significant portion in the italian context. In order to reach forest owners it’s necessary to guarantee them a congruous timber annual payment that could induce them to assign the management of their area to an external logging company (private or public). On the other hand it’s necessary to guarantee the external manager adequate financial reward for timber logging and harvesting. The wood stock is determined by using drone and photogrammetry, then its effective value is expressed in function of the main relevant variables: accessibility, assortments and timber market value. With regard to the annual quota due to each owner, it is made up of two components: a fixed one and a variable one. The fixed one is directly proportional to the surface of the shared forest (and will tend to be low), while the variable component is directly proportional to the ratio between the volume of each individual parcel (Vui) and the total volume of the forest area. Some issues about the application of the sharing-profits methodology emerged in the case study in Tarvisio and need to be addressed in the project follow-up. Forest owners showed a common preference to sell the standing forest (in order to have a high periodic income rather than opting for an annualisation of profits from shared management), and the preference of purchasing contracts with logging companies for individual utilisations (rather than the possibility of taking multi-year management with the associated risks). each of them. Firstly, the "problem analysis system" was examined by identifying the target users of the GO-SURF system and the needs to be addressed (Table 1). The identification of target users was carried out by involving ten individuals within the partnership, while analyzing the results and architecture of similar SSDF systems developed in other territorial contexts. The analysis of the actual needs of each of the target users then guided the "knowledge system," which in the case of GO-SURF consists of the data hosted within the SSDF and the analysis tools used to query the data and generate information for decision-making. Subsequently, a detailed analysis of the "results presentation system" was conducted, which guided the technical implementation of the SSDF. During this analysis, it became evident that the application should have a web-based Geographic Information System (WebGIS) interface designed to streamline the use of spatial analysis tools and enable report generation. Finally, considering the first three key components of the SSD, the technicians responsible for developing the platform chose the "system development language,". Lessons learned In the case of the GO-SURF project, the participation of various stakeholders involved in different aspect of forest management has improved the outcomes in the development of FDSS. However, a participatory approach also has some disadvantages: it requires time and resources (Carberry et al., 2002), the identification of appropriate stakeholders is necessary , and stakeholders must agree on process objectives. In the case of GO-SURF, the opportunity to establish an Operational Group within the PEI-AGRI initiative allowed for the identification and involvement of various stakeholders from the inception of the operational group through measure 16.1 of the PSR. This helped create alignment in process objectives, which were realized through measure 16.2 of the PSR in the development of the application. Contact information Francesca Giannetti francesca.giannett[email protected] Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 15 Title of innovation Characterisation of the genetic diversity of the chestnut heritage, soil biodiversity and biofertility Emilia-Romagna ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) Biodiversamente Castagno Operational Group (name) Biodiversamente Castagno: "Guidelines for the preservation and valorisation of chestnut biodiversity in Emilia Romagna". Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Chestnut growers, universities, regional institution Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/biodiversamente-castagno-linee-guida-la-preservazione-e Country, region, city Emilia-Romagna, Italy Type of innovation Process Keywords Biodiversity, nature management, soil management, functionality, landscape, land management Approach and main results The aim of the project was to set up a collective study shared by the scientific community and chestnut growers to find out about the genetic variability of chestnut germplasm and to enhance and promote the role of the chestnut grower as a 'guardian' of biodiversity and land protection. The scientific data collected characterised the genetic diversity of EmiliaRomagna's chestnut-growing heritage and the broad biodiversity and biofertility present in the soils, highlighting the genetic variability of the region's different varieties of chestnut fruit and identifying for each variety the most suitable soil characteristics for its cultivation. In particular, the analyses highlighted the 'diversity' of chestnuts and distinguished all the different varieties in the area under study, from the 'Carrarese' 'to the 'Pelosa', the 'Svizzera', the 'Pastanese', the 'Biancherina' and others. DNA analyses have shown that the different types of Marroni, a typical product of Emilia-Romagna, share the same DNA profile with extraordinary precision, proving that all plants derive from a single strain of marroni from the Apennines. Varieties recognised as being at risk of extinction were taken from the collection fields available in Emilia-Romagna (Granaglione and Zocca) and were placed in special catalogue fields at two actual partner companies that became their custodians. Subsequently, the quality of the organic substance was verified by applying indices that provide indications of the capacity of the soil to conserve or dissipate the organic carbon present. Thus, after specific sampling and analysis, the microbial biomass, metabolic quotient (qCO2), microbial quotient (qMic), mineralisation quotient (qM) and soil biological fertility index (IFB) were evaluated, to highlight alarm and early warning situations with regard to organic matter content and possible loss through mineralisation. In addition, soil and its biodiversity were studied using the biological quality index (QBS-ar) at some geo-pedologically different sites, suitably selected from those from which genetic material is taken. It emerged that the soil of the chestnut grove is a habitat for an enormous quantity and variety of organisms. Lessons learned For companies in the Apennines a niche strategy is needed, built on the exclusivity and excellence of local products, in particular chestnuts, through the valorisation of traditional chestnut cultivation, for better environmental sustainability, soil care and protection of biodiversity, adaptation to climate change and product quality. Contact information Solaria Anzilotti (s[email protected]) , Livia Vittori Antisari ([email protected]) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 16 Title of innovation CASTANIBUS ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) Biodiversamente Castagno Operational Group (name) Biodiversamente Castagno: "Guidelines for the preservation and valorisation of chestnut biodiversity in Emilia Romagna". Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Chestnut browser, universities, regional institution Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/biodiversamente-castagno-linee-guida-la-preservazione-e Country, region, city Emilia-Romagna, Italy Type of innovation Social innovation Keywords Biodiversity, nature management, soil management, functionality, landscape, land management, cooperation Approach and main results CASTANIBUS unites the CASTANI-CO and BIODIVERSAMENTE CASTAGNO projects, whose primary objectives are to identify and share "guidelines for the study, preservation and valorisation of the chestnut tree and the best management of chestnut groves to obtain a quality product", to revalorise the "culture of chestnut cultivation" and the role of the chestnut grower as a quality producer and guardian of the mountain territory. Castanibus was a two-day journey that networked all the realities that revolve around the chestnut tree and the need for protection and development in the Apennines, from carbon sequestration to the protection of biodiversity, fostering a proactive and constructive exchange between researchers, GO partner farmers and regional officials, with the main players involved in chestnut cultivation in Emilia Romagna. Concentrating the participants on the coach made it possible to favour an exchange of experiences and opinions on the reality of chestnut cultivation, but above all to bring the comparison to the field by visiting chestnut groves and metati. Concentrating the participants on the bus made it possible to make the best possible use of the travelling time from Bologna, the place of departure, to Marola, facilitating an exchange of experiences and opinions on the reality of chestnut cultivation, but above all to take the comparison to the field by visiting chestnut groves and metati. The trip was full of speeches and moments of discussion concerning the current situation and future prospects of regional chestnut cultivation after extremely difficult years for producers due to the Chinese wasp, which has now been eradicated thanks to the interventions of the Regional Phytosanitary Service. Lessons learned The partnership between the actors of the operational groups demonstrated the effectiveness of 'networking', a fundamental condition for sharing and integrating in practice market requirements with environmental and scientific innovation, and human, historical, cultural and landscape heritage. The bus tour with the various territorial actors active in the chestnut sector was a good way to stimulate and bring them into the field. One of the most important result was the desire and the concrete possibility of activating a Regional Plan for Chestnut Growing as a result of the cooperation between the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Consortia of Chestnut Growers, some of which were united in a coordination, and other public and private stakeholders. Contact information Solaria Anzilotti (s[email protected]) , Livia Vittori Antisari ([email protected]) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 17 Title of innovation Use of Bite technology for tree infusion in chestnut groves ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO INGECA Operational Group (name) Innovative Low-Impact Strategies for the GEstion of Adversity in Chestnut Fruit Forests Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Farms, research groups, communication company, national forest certification systems (PEFC) Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/strategie-innovative-basso-impatto-la-gestione-delle Country, region, city Tuscany, Italy Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Sustainable Forest Management, pest/disease control Approach and main results Traditionally, in fruit tree crops phytosanitary control has always been done by canopy spraying, that caused a high product dispersion in the environment, high delivery time of application, less absorption and lower results in responding to phytosanitary attacks. In chestnut groves this control method is either too burdensome and inapplicable due to the considerable size of the plants or even non applied at all. Endotherapy can be applied to chestnut trees regardless of their height and location, take less time than traditional methodology and don’t dissipate the product, with better results. A single tree treatment requires roughly 10 minutes and, since more trees can be treated simultaneously, a chestnut farmer can manage to treat a chestnut grove in 1 or 2 days. The device requires no electricity to operate and reduces water consumption by more than 99% compared to spraying treatments (water consumption is a few ml per tree, therefore an absolutely negligible quantity). The cost of the device is around 1300 € and the cost of a commercial Thrichoderma package is around 200 €; however, as the product is very concentrated (billions of spores) it will be sufficient for 5 years or more, depending on the scale of application. One of the advantages of using the Bite technology, is that unlike other pressure endotherapic tools, it penetrates the internal tissues of the tree with a very thin needle that causes a little wound, that can be recovered in about a week. For rapid and optimal absorption of the injected suspension, it is necessary that the treatment is carried out during the vegetative season, when the trees are at their maximum transpiration rate. Lessons learned This innovative, low-impact instrument has shown very good results in the phytosanitary control of tree diseases, with no environmental impact, a minimum impact on the plant, and a reduced time-consumption for the application. Given the reduced time required for the treatments, the high cost of the instrument can be reduced by organizing chestnut growers in a consortium, in order to make a community purchase to recover the expense. Contact information Solaria Anzilotti (solaria.anzilot[email protected]), Salvatore Moricca Links to website/report/video https://www.psingeca.it/it Pictures ITHub 3 - 18 Title of innovation Carbon accounting for PES ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO.FOR.TRACK Operational Group (name) DECISIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM TO MAP FOREST RESOURCES Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, Forest owners, forest company, NGOs, research institutions, advisor environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/sviluppo-di-un-sistema-di-supporto-decisionale-la Country, region, city Italy, Calabria Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; silviculture Approach and main results Forests offer more than just wood and non-wood materials; they provide a wide range of additional services, including creating habitats for biodiversity, purifying water, and regulating floods and climate. Their ability to sequester carbon, provide cooling effects, and supply renewable raw materials, food, and medicines is essential in combating climate change, transitioning to a circular bioeconomy, and promoting overall societal health. The economic sustainability of the EU's forest sector continues to be a fundamental aspect of sustainable forest management. Moreover, this economic sustainability is critically significant for preserving the various advantages that forests offer to society, particularly for ensuring the livelihoods of rural communities. Both public and private payments for forest ecosystem services offer an alternative means to secure funding for multifunctional and protective forest management and the sustainable upkeep of ecosystem services. In this context, it is important to establish methods for quantifying these ecosystem services. Among the services with a potential market, carbon is the most developed. In Italy, there is no formalized market yet, and activities are primarily in the voluntary sector. In this scenario, calculating the Business as Usual (BAU) and offsetting resulting from management is crucial. To have a picture of the BAU, it's essential to find methodologies as standardized as possible and accurately quantify carbon. In our case, using ground biomass data, we were able to derive a model using an area-based approach, integrating remote sensing data (Sentinel-2 satellite) for various tree species, and then converting this value into carbon as 0.5 of the biomass. At this time, this data has not been used to enter the carbon credit market but solely to establish a reference framework for the BAU and to initiate proposed management changes, with the intention of calculating offsets later on. Lessons learned Remote sensing data can be valuable in quantifying biomass at the company level when integrated with ground data. This approach has enabled the precise assessment of biomass and the identification of various forest types. However, to date, it has not been possible to quantify the credits resulting from management offsets, but rather to establish an initial reference framework. Contact information Francesca Giannetti (francesca.giannet[email protected]) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 19 Title of innovation Questionnaire for the assessment of the willingness to pay for culturaltourist ecosystem services ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) BIOSEIFORTE Operational Group (name) BIOdiversity and Ecosystem Services in Forests and Territory Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forestry doctors, researchers, doctors in natural sciences, biologists, environmental engineers , Forestry and Agriculture Societies (SAF), Category Associations, Consortiums of local companies Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/biodiversita-e-servizi-ecosistemici-foreste-e-territorio Country, region, city Marche, Italy Type of innovation Process Keywords ecosysyem services, sustainable forest management Approach and main results The GO conducted an experimental analysis on the Monte Nerone area to evaluate the willingness to pay for the implemetation of tourist-recreational services. The study area is located in the Marche Apennines, 60 km from the coast (a very touristic area), it’s easily accessible and has a good road network. The object of the research was to assess the value of the ecosystem services provided by the forest. The data collection was done through a questionnaire to the visitors, preceded by a brief description of the area attempting to inform visitors of its cultural, architectural and environmental, naturalistic and landscape values. The questionnaire asked for biographical information, educational qualification, average income bracket, frequency of visit, and an evaluation of the main ecosystem services the area was able to provide (providing a grid of ecosystem services characterising the area as support for the answer). The evaluation was carried out with a double key, on the one hand assessing the evaluation of the importance of the various ecosystem services for the users (e.g. the landscape, biodiversity, etc., with answer scores of 1-7), and on the other asking how the Nerone area responded according to their perception. These two parameters were considered as fundamental to determine their willingness to pay. In the end, participants were asked to survey express their interest and their willingness to pay for a parking space (assessment per vehicle not per person, per day). The money collected would be reinvested in the area to improve services and maintain the area. Lessons learned After the data analysis, a willingness to pay 7/8 euros was estimated. Most visitors are willing to pay for an access point with information and toilets and then go on an excursion. There was no ostracism only very few answers the environment belongs to everyone and they are not willing to pay. No real implementation has followed so far. Difficulties in data collection (number of questionnaires about 90 completed, some filled in poorly, not usable). The thesis collector who collected the data took advantage of the possibility of collecting the information at events, but in general it is very difficult to find people. An attempt was made to collect data on Facebook but they were not found to be reliable. The people interviewed were very willing to answer, but these questionnaires are often too long for people who were passing by on holiday. It is also difficult to balance between the level of detail one would like to achieve and the immediacy of the answers. If you want very large samples and detailed information, the period is very long. Contact information Solaria Anzilotti (solaria.anzilot[email protected]) Danilo Gambelli ([email protected]nivpm.it) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 20 Title of innovation Pine wood nematode ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) SOLUTOPUS Operational Group (short name) GI (PIN) Operational Group (name) Integrated Management of the Pine Forest/Pine wood Nematode Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) researchers; business; advisors; NGOs Link from OGs database https://inovacao.rederural.gov.pt/2/114-gi-pin-gestao-integrada-do-pinhalnematode-da-madeira-do-pinheiro Country, region, city Portugal North and Centre Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords nematode; pine wood Approach and main results Objectives: This project aimed to overcome the constraints caused by PWD, combining new forms of forest management, fight, methods of early detection of infected trees and decrease their impact, control the natural dispersion of the insect vector (Monochamus galloprovincialis), reduce costs of disease control actions and contribute to restore the confidence of landowners for the maintenance, plantation and management of new areas of maritime pine. It is also intended to analyze the types of trees that can be infected, the influence of forest fires on the natural dispersion of PWN, to evaluate the emergence and flight of the vector under different climatic conditions, to minimize the risk of forest operations during their flight period and to create zones of active containment where it is possible to act more effectively to avoid the dispersion of PWN to the non-infected pine forests. The approach had the following main phases and respective conclusions: 1Creation of an Active Containment Zone (ZCA), with borders, and it was observed that the Pine Wilt Disease (MPD) spread approximately 6 km in a year, within a maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) stand, without roads paved and with very limited access. Arrangement of multi-funnel traps along the border area of the transect. 2Determination of early tree detection methods potentially infectedAssess the risk of disease installation in trees with different ages/dimensions. It was observed that larger pine trees are more likely to be selected by Monochamus galloprovincialis and becoming infected by the Wood Nematode Pine (NMP), mainly in populations with a low incidence of DMP. 3Evaluation of new methods for controlling the natural dispersion of vectors infected with MPNEvaluate the period of emergence and flight of the vector in different climate conditions. During 2021, 527 were captured in the traps installed in Seia. specimens of M. galloprovincialis. The largest number of insects was captured in the second week of October (131 copies, corresponding to 24.9% of the total captures). In the traps installed in environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Link from OGs database https://www.reseaurural.fr/centre-de-ressources/projets/plantationsinnovantes-en-foret-innover-pour-installer-des-plantations Country, region, city France, Grand-Est Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Plantation, Working conditions, Societal expectations Approach and main results In the context of climate change, planting appears to be a major tool for guaranteeing the adaptation and sustainability of forests. In recent years, planting has undergone a major boom with the introduction of the French recovery plan. Most of the work carried out to renew forest stands is conducted manually, and the work site preparation phase has not benefited from any major technological advances, allowing the areas to be planted to be mapped while taking into account the constraints of the terrain. Foresters have expressed a strong interest in improving the staking stage, which accounts for 35% of the time spent during the planting process and is traditionally carried out using a compass and a decametre. As part of the PIF project, the ONF and the FCBA have developed a new mapping and staking method, based on the use of a drone and a centimetre-accurate GPS. The first stage of this method involves flying over the area to be planted using a drone capable of providing photos with optimum resolution (1 to 2 cm/pixel) and geo-referenced using RTK (Real Time Kinematic) to around 1 cm. It takes ten minutes of flying time to cover 15 hectares. If the drone is not RTK-compatible, it is possible to add positions taken from a mobile GPS, as long as these points have been marked out on the ground beforehand. The photos taken during the flight are then assembled using software and the GPS coordinates recorded, to produce an orthophotograph. The orthophotograph produced will be used to define the future planting scheme. It will make it possible to identify the contours of the plot and the traffic routes, as well as to calculate the area to be planted and to position the future planting lines. This is a longer stage, depending on the complexity of the plot. The information gathered will enable a more accurate assessment to be made of the quantity of plants required and the time needed to complete the work properly. Following computer processing, a map will be generated incorporating the planting scheme. The data will then be transmitted automatically to a GPS via a server, and can be used directly by operators in the field to position the planting lines. The use of the drone combined with the use of a centimetre-precision GPS by the worker has made it possible to optimize the installation of the planting lines, with productivity three times higher than with the traditional method, and to improve its ergonomics. Lessons learned The use of a drone, combined with the use of a centimetre-precision GPS by the worker, has made it possible to optimize the installation of the planting lines, with productivity three times higher than with the traditional method, and to improve ergonomics. Nevertheless, the use of drones remains costly and requires staff trained in their use. Flights require significant material and financial investment, as well as special administrative arrangements. This new mapping and staking method is currently being tested in the Grand Est region by several ONF work agencies. Work is also underway to develop these tools and integrate them into machines for mechanized preparation before planting, plantation maintenance or even to keep track of the location of partitioning networks on a plot of land. Contact information Mrs Collet Catherine (catherine.colle[email protected]) Links to website/report/video https://renfor.hub.inrae.fr/projets/pif Pictures Copyright © INRAE ITHub 3 - 24 Title of innovation Group management trial ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) CNPF Operational Group (short name) FPP-EGG Operational Group (name) Private and public forest - grouped forest management trial Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) forest owners, advisors Link from OGs database https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/fpp-eggfor%C3%AAts-priv%C3%A9es-et-publiques-essai-de.html Country, region, city France, Normandie Type of innovation Organisational innovation Keywords territorial animation, management Approach and main results The fragmentation of private forest properties, with no sustainable management document, represents a real challenge for the development of sustainable forest management. To involve small owners, it is necessary to rely on dynamic local owners. The originality of this project is that the owner is a municipality, which could potentially lead to a revival of forestry on a massif-wide scale and thus provide information on an applicable method and on the juridical difficulties of this type of initiative. In fact, there are around 300 communal forest properties in Normandy not subject to the forestry legislation, for which the mayors often have ambitions, which could be inspired by this initiative and simultaneously lead many small neighbouring private forests towards sustainable management. This operational group aims to support the development of sustainable public-private management of forests in Normandy. The aim is to create a regional approach based on experiments in grouped public-private forest management, as well as common tools for consultation between the various organisations involved. The area selected was the upper part of the Becdal ravine in the communes of Quatremare and Mesnil Jourdain (27). The massif comprises 35 hectares of forest divided into 38 properties, with 10 hectares belonging to the municipality and more than thirty private forest owners owning the remaining area. The stands, soil and climate (current and future) were characterised, in order to define potentially interesting silvicultural projects. The majority of participants expressed the wish not to disrupt the landscape of the valley, and a financial balance will be pursued between income and expenditure to enable renewal without investment by the owners, apart from income from harvesting. Initially, there was no support for owners to join a structure, as each owner wanted to maintain his or her autonomy. If actions can be grouped together without being modified, then the possibility of a regrouping will be conceivable.The French National Centre for Forest Ownership (CNPF) was able to identify a strong desire from owners to conserve a high level of biological diversity. Stands and forest management in general were discussed and demonstrated in the field. Landowners were given technical factsheets corresponding to their stands, which raised a high degree of interest, and were analysed and discussed during individual interviews. The stands for which silvicultural action is accepted are those affected by dieback and/or biotic attacks. In order to offset the cost of reforestation and ensure sufficient revenue, it was proposed that living trees should be harvested by thinning. For non-declining stands, thinning was also proposed on the basis of biodiversity conservation criteria. The volume of wood cut is likely to be small and from a variety of species, which makes it difficult to commercialise. However, by grouping together, it is possible to offer sufficient volume to interest buyers. The CNPF has launched a call for proposals to estimate the volume and value of the thinning. This was sent to all the owners to obtain their agreement before the call for proposals was launched. However, the municipality's agreement could not be obtained before the end of the project. As a result, the worksite in the communal forest could not be approved, blocking the effective launch of the overall worksite. Lessons learned The municipality's commitment enabled a calm and effective dialogue, leading to the mobilisation of a number of private owners. To gain the trust of the owners, the preferred method was to approach them collectively and individually. This method led to a felling and reforestation project being proposed for 4 landowners representing 15 hectares in the commune. In communal forests, the procedures for submitting land to the forestry legislation are very demanding, generating a caution and a long reflection period. In the absence of submission to the forestry legislation and of a Standard Management Agreement, it is not possible to draw up a sustainable management document for the communal forest, which then remains ineligible for subsidies. It seems difficult to envisage joint management unless private owners align themselves with the worksites, service providers and buyers identified by the national forestry office. The current situation is that the forestry code is designed to completely and systematically separate public management from private management. A national review of changes to the forestry code should therefore be considered in order to envisage joint management. Contact information M. Eric HINCELIN ([email protected]) Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 25 Title of innovation Innovative tools for collaborative forest management ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) CNPF Operational Group (short name) OG OUI-GEF Operational Group (name) OG OUI-GEF : Innovative tools for collaborative forest management Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest owners, researchers, advisors Link from OGs database https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/outilsinnovants-pour-une-gestion-concert%C3%A9e-des.html Country, region, city France, Auvergne Rhône Alpes Type of innovation Social innovation Keywords Forestry, precision forestry, sustainable forestry, training Approach and main results Wood production, biodiversity conservation, protection against natural risks, public reception for recreational activities, carbon storage... The forest provides multiple services at the origin of sometimes contradictory management issues which can generate conflicts between players. To reconcile all of these issues, the tools available to forestry stakeholders are increasingly numerous: remote sensing, field protocols, models, participatory approaches, etc. If these tools are co-constructed, articulated between them and shared with all stakeholders, they can contribute to the success of sustainable forest management. BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE FOREST, ITS SERVICES AND ITS PLAYERS LiDAR technology, Sylvacess model, diagnosis of the sensitivity of a stand to logging, protocol for characterizing mature forests... So many tools available to stakeholders in the territory and the timber industry to better understand and manage their forests. The OUI-GEF project aimed to help these actors take advantage of these tools and create multi-partner and concerted forest management. Carried out in three Regional Natural Parks (PNR), OUI-GEF is structured around three specific objectives. The first consisted of providing a more detailed understanding of the forest resource, its ecosystem services, the behavior of certain species sensitive to climate change such as spruce or fir, and knowing where the islands of old wood necessary for the preservation of the biodiversity. The second objective was to identify the conditions for mobilizing the resource (access, slopes, dragging distance) and the potential economic, environmental and social impacts of logging, and to study the behavior of private forest owners in order to determine their motivations for exploiting their forest. The third objective aimed to promote the sharing of knowledge between stakeholders, an essential issue to achieve multi-partner and concerted forest management in the territories. OUI-GEF has resulted in the creation of numerous tools and methods for the benefit of stakeholders and managers, including: • An innovative method for carrying out a forest inventory, based on LiDAR technology. • Automatic mapping of the accessibility of forest stands in mountain areas using Sylvaccess software. • A method for diagnosing the sensitivity of a stand to felling and estimating the effect of the intervention. • Operational models to map forests with a protective function (avalanches and rockfalls). • A simplified field protocol to identify mature forests, an essential element of the old woodland network. • An analysis of approaches to valorizing local wood resources which highlights the processes by which the value of local wood is built during the creation of a Wood Energy platform or an AOC (controlled designation of origin). • An online educational game to understand how forest wood, properly managed, transported, stored and burned, can advantageously replace other non-renewable resources to heat our homes. The challenge for the years to come is to continue the dissemination of tools and the sharing of knowledge resulting from the project. An online geocatalogue to encourage transfer. This geo-referenced metadata base brings together information on the data used by researchers and stakeholders involved in forest management: maps, field surveys, stand analysis grid, etc. It is accompanied by appropriate instructions for concrete issues in order to support the realization of forestry projects. Lessons learned OUI-GEF has made it possible to develop operational and transferable tools offering stakeholders and managers the opportunity to better understand forests, their populations, their functions, etc. The active involvement of PNR project managers has encouraged strong mobilization of local stakeholders to participate in tests, respond to surveys and provide feedback on project output. Contact information [email protected] Links to website/report/video https://www.psdr-ra.fr/boite-a-outils/filiere-bois-foret ITHub 3 - 26 Title of innovation Using UAV photogrammetric data to support multi-objective forest management plans ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-SURF Operational Group (name) DECISION SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE FOREST PLANNING Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest owners, forest company, NGOs, research institutions, advisor Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/supporto-decisionale-alla-pianificazione-forestale Country, region, city Italy, Tuscany Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; selviculturale Approach and main results In the Italian and European context, there is an increasing demand for forest and agroforestry companies to focus on multifunctionality. Furthermore, in recent years, the possibility of certifying some ecosystem services and multifunctional services has emerged. The first step toward certification is to have a sustainable forest management plan that details these aspects. In the case of the GO-SURF project, to obtain spatial data covering the entire forested areas within the project intervention zones, a fixed-wing UAV was used to derive some of the multifunctionality indicators. High-resolution orthophotos, for instance, were utilized to map forest types linked to biodiversity and conservation. Infrared orthophotos were employed to identify the presence of standing deadwood, which serves as a proxy for biodiversity analysis related, for example, to saproxylic insects. Additionally, roads and trails were mapped to identify potential tourist routes. The UAV has enabled the accurate mapping of some of these indicators, which are subsequently integrated into the decision support system. These data can be used to develop multifunctional and multi-objective management plans. Lessons learned The cost of the UAV used for mapping is indeed quite high, but companies have the option to collaborate with service providers rather than purchasing one themselves. The generated data, however, are crucial for developing multi-objective management plans. Compared to traditional survey methods, these data save time in terms of fieldwork. The use of this data also provides standardized information across the entire area, which is valuable for working towards certification of ecosystem services. Contact information Francesca Giannetti francesca.giannett[email protected] Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 27 Title of innovation Decisional Support System to support the revision of forest management plans ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) GO-FOR.TRACK Operational Group (name) DECISIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM TO MAP FOREST RESOURCES Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forest owners, forest company, NGOs, research institutions, advisor Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/sviluppo-di-un-sistema-di-supporto-decisionale-la Country, region, city Italy, Calabria Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Farming/Forestry competitiveness and diversification; Decisional Support System; silviculture Approach and main results The Common International Classification System of Ecosystem Services (CICES) categorizes ecosystem services into three primary groups: i) provisioning, ii) regulation and maintenance, and iii) cultural. Ecosystem services can be evaluated both in terms of their physical attributes and their economic value. A physical assessment relies on biophysical models of ecosystem services that take into account the functions and processes of ecosystems necessary to provide the specific service. Within the GOFORTRACK, were employed various spatial approaches to quantify physical aspects related to some ecosystem services. Specifically, we developed maps for carbon, biomass, and forest types, which can be associated with ecosystem services related to prediction, regulation, and maintenance. These maps were then integrated into a simple decision support system within the project's test areas, enabling forest managers to access this information at the individual forest parcel scale. It was decided to derive this information at the forest parcel scale because, in the context of Italian forestry laws, which require that a forest management plan be approved by the relevant public authority, it is always necessary to describe each individual parcel and provide quantitative data. This system can help maintain parcel records and automatically generate the parcel cards/reports required by law. Lessons learned This straightforward report automation tool allows forest managers to save time on report and plan writing, which can then be allocated to other forest management-related activities. It can significantly reduce the costs associated with the drafting and development of a forest management plan. Additionally, the availability of various maps within the system aids in the analysis of plan objectives and interventions, providing a more detailed knowledge framework. Contact information Francesca Giannetti Links to website/report/video [email protected] Pictures ITHub 3 - 28 Title of innovation A User-Friendly Platform for Bridging the Gap between Carbon Credit Demand and Supply ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) CO2 S.Fo.Ma. MARCHE Operational Group (name) CO2 STORED in FOREST MANAGEMENT MARCHE Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forestry doctors, researchers, doctors in natural sciences, biologists, environmental engineers , Forestry and Agriculture Societies (SAF), Category Associations, Consortiums of local companies Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/calcolo-e-certificazione-del-sequestro-del-carbonio Country, region, city Marche, Italy Type of innovation Organisational innovation Keywords business model, carbon stock, digital platform, Managing ecosystem services, Multifunctional forest management, Sustainable Forest Management Approach and main results At the beginning of CO2 Marche project, the market of additional Carbon credits was still not very popular in Italy. For that, in the context of sustainable forest management certification, was created a new platform for the voluntary sustainability credit exchange. The goal of the platform is to connect demand and supply of carbon credits deriving from Sustainable Forest Management in a voluntary trading market for tonnes of stored carbon with additionality criteria (not counted by the Italian government under the Kyoto and Paris Agreements). Also for the offer, the platform is accessible not only to the project partners, but to any operator wishing to undertake the carbon certification and counting route. When an acquirent is interested in supporting a specific additional project, the first thing is to specifically identify the area’s characteristics and the kind of activity that will be put in practice, in order to quantify the entity of the positive impacts generated. The control of the quality of the additional credits is accounted by the Inspection Body, which will annually verify compliance with the requirements of the PEFC standards. Forests certified according to Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) are able to store more carbon than unmanaged (i.e. uncut) and untended forests; they contribute to climate change mitigation; they prevent natural and environmental hazards such as forest fires, hydrogeological disruption, soil erosion; they protect biodiversity and the landscape; they offer touristrecreational attractions and forest products and by-products, along with culture, traditions and work for skilled forest workers. ITHub 3 - 32 Title of innovation Group Certification for Sustainable Forest Management: Promoting Shared Forest Management and Ecosystem Services Enhancement ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) CO2 S.Fo.Ma. MARCHE Operational Group (name) CO2 STORED in FOREST MANAGEMENT MARCHE Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forestry doctors, researchers, doctors in natural sciences, biologists, environmental engineers , Forestry and Agriculture Societies (SAF), Category Associations, Consortiums of local companies Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/calcolo-e-certificazione-del-sequestro-del-carbonio Country, region, city Marche, Italy Type of innovation Process Keywords Carbon stock, cooperation, ecosystem services, multifunctional forest management, sustainable forest management, certification Approach and main results In Italy one of the main obstacles to forestry management is fragmentation and small forest area of private properties. For overcoming this problem, the project CO2 Marche promoted a Group Certification between different forest owners. The Group Certification is specifically designed for small and collective forest properties, is the result of great teamwork related to the ability to unite public and private forces, overcoming territorial fragmentation for a common goal in order to simplify and share the organisational aspects of Sustainable Forest Management Certification and to reduce its costs. It is an alternative approach to individual certification, allowing certification of several forest owners as a group. It requires a Lead Partner representing the group, with responsibility for ensuring that the forest management practices of individual owners within the certified area comply with PEFC requirements. In the context of the project, the 'Bosco di Marca' was created, a forest consortium of 9208,25 ha that achieved the goal to obtain the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management Group Certification. Forest Group Certification is a good opportunity for forest owners to manage forests and the ecosystem services produced, by increasing carbon storage, prevent forest fires, hydrogeological instability, soil erosion, protect forests and biodiversity, contribute to good water and air quality, mitigate temperatures and climate change, enhance the landscape and offer better tourism and recreational services. Moreover, in the context of the project, a particular attenction was put in promoting the exchange of sustainability credits and create employment and wealth in the mountain areas of the Marche Region, with a special focus on the 2019 earthquake crater area. The certification highlights the effort put to enhance ecosystem services: it demonstrates concretely how forests and woodlands can be not only an environmental but also an economic resource, and how everything is interconnected. Forest owners and managers will then be able to calculate the forest's carbon storage capacity and offer credits to be sold to organisations or companies wishing to neutralise their emissions. In this way, forest communities will be able to survive and not abandon the inland areas of the country. Lessons learned This group certification model allowed the achievement of the largest group certification in central Italy with 9,208.25 ha. This certification is proof of the possibility of overcoming territorial fragmentation for a common objective by uniting public and private forces. In these areas, obtaining and maintaining GFS certification will guarantee not only the application of a continuous monitoring system but also the implementation of a continuous improvement programme. Contact information Marco Perrino ([email protected]) Solaria Anzilotti ([email protected]) Links to website/report/video https://www.co2marche.it/ Pictures ITHub 3 - 33 Title of innovation Enhancing Additionality Assessment of Carbon Credit of Various Interventions by Utilizing Site-Specific Historical Data in Compliance with IPCC International Standards ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) CO2MARCHE Operational Group (name) CO2 STORED in FOREST MANAGEMENT MARCHE Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forestry managers, researchers, doctors in natural sciences, biologists, environmental engineers , Forestry and Agriculture Societies (SAF), Category Associations, Consortiums of local companies Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/calcolo-e-certificazione-del-sequestro-del-carbonio Country, region, city Italy, Marche Type of innovation Product Keywords Forestry, Sustainible Forest Management, Carbon accounting, Approach and main results In carbon credit additionality projects, it is essential to use precise quantification methods to avoid incorrect estimations. In this context, within the framework of the CO2MARCHE Operational Group, an international methodology based on the IPCC standards has been chosen as reference fo the quantification of carbon credits. However, to arrive at a more accurate estimation of carbon credits, the international ICPP methodology has been link with a site-specific metholdology developed within the CO2MARCHE OG. The site-specific methodology takes into account site-specific data for each of the additionality measures proposed concerning the Business As Usual (BAU) scenario (e.g., converting coppice/stand, extending the harvesting rotation, and wildfire prevention). Indeed, the CO2MARCHE project covered 9,000 hectares of forests managed in the past for which historical dendrometric data were already available. These historical data pertained to forest parcels managed in the past with practices similar to those proposed in the additionality measures. This enabled the adjustment of the IPCC models to the actual biomass and CO2 increases recorded in the project areas. This approach allowed for more accurate carbon estimates and the calculation of additionality based on real growth data. From a credit quantification perspective, this approach is, therefore, more rigorous compared to the usual methods applied in other certification standards. In this context, CO2MARCHE has also contribute to develop the national certification standard of PEFC for carbon credits that can be request just if the forest are manage under the sustainible forest managment PEFC national standard. Moreover, at the moment in Italy there is a National Carbon Credit Registry. Lessons learned In the context of carbon credits, it is necessary to have quantification methodologies for the carbon credits generated by additionality measures that are as rigorous and transparent as possible to avoid speculation. In this context, the CO2MARCHE operational group worked to develop a methodology that aligns with the IPCC standards but is also informed by sitespecific data. This was made possible because the forests had been managed in the past, and historical dendrometric data allowed for the quantification of the increases resulting from silvicultural interventions. The project highlighted that it is indeed active forest management that generates additionality and, consequently, carbon credits. Furthermore, these evidence-based methodologies using real data ensure that the generated credits can be certified, particularly under the new PEFC standard in Italy, which is based on stringent methodologies compared to other standards. Contact information Marco Perrino [email protected] - Antonio Brunori [email protected] - Francesca Giannetti (francesca.giannet[email protected]) Links to website/report/video https://www.co2marche.it/ Pictures ITHub 3 - 34 Title of innovation Efficient Sampling Methodology for Calculating Soil Carbon Credits ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) UNIFI Operational Group (short name) CO2MARCHE Operational Group (name) CO2 STORED in FOREST MANAGEMENT MARCHE Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Forestry managers, researchers, doctors in natural sciences, biologists, environmental engineers , Forestry and Agriculture Societies (SAF), Category Associations, Consortiums of local companies Link from OGs database https://www.innovarurale.it/it/pei-agri/gruppi-operativi/bancadati-gopei/calcolo-e-certificazione-del-sequestro-del-carbonio Country, region, city Italy, Marche Type of innovation Process Keywords Forestry, Soil, Carbon stock and sink, Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), Ecosystem services, New value chain Approach and main results Soil Carbon Credits are additional carbon credits that enhance ecosystem services, such as C stocking and improving rural economy, and SFM applicability. Soil Carbon Credits are additional carbon credits that enhance ecosystem services, such as C stocking and improving rural economy, and SFM applicability. Data from 5 different C pools of forests were estimated for the quantification of total organic C in 3 forest sites: Above and below ground biomass (AGB; BGB), litter, dead wood and soil. AGB C was estimated in sample plots on an INFC model, BGB C was calculated using specific root-to-shoot ratios (RSR), dead wood by field analysis (measurements of the diameter of dead wood >2.5 cm and the classification based on decomposition classes on a transect) followed by the application of a function to calculate the C stored; litter C stock through the ratio of organic C mass to surface area and SOC by collection of composite samples taken at 3 different depths (0-5 cm, 5-15 cm, 15-30 cm)and rock% and Bulk Density (BD) calculation, followed by SOC estimation through elemental analyzer. Thanks to this analysis it was possible to calculate the total C content of the forest ecosystems and compare the C storage capacity of conventionally managed forest plots (unmanaged or coppiced) and plots under SFM (transitional forest). Lessons learned SFM supports C storage in the various forest compartments, (soil, biomass and necromass) increases the provision of ecosystem services, forest productivity, and contributes to climate change mitigation while providing support to the local rural economy. Contact information Gregorio Fantoni ([email protected]) Solaria Anzilotti ([email protected]) Links to website/report/video https://www.co2marche.it/ Pictures ITHub 3 - 35 Title of innovation Assesing the efficiency of different prevetion methods of pine pitch canker, and the creation of a manual with the good pratices to follow in plant nurseries ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) ANSUB Operational Group (short name) GO +PrevCRP Operational Group (name) Operational group for the development of integrated strategies to prevent pitch canker on pine Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, 2 Forest Owners Associations, 4 Plant Nurseries, 2 Universities and 5 research and development companies advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) Link from OGs database https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/findconnect/projects/desenvolvimento-de-estrat%C3%A9gias-integradaspara.html Country, region, city Portugal Type of innovation Process Keywords Pest/disease control; plant production and horticulture Approach and main results Pine pitch canker is a disease caused by the fungi Fusarium circinatum, which is a quarantine disease, that can lead to serious problems in the production of plants by the nurseries and a shortage in the availability of seeds. The fungi can be dispersed by wind, water and insects, however the most common way is by transporting/using seeds and plants that are infected but don’t show signs and symptoms of the disease yet. This project had was its objectives the creation of standard procedures to disinfect the seeds, plant containers and the water used to irrigate. To achieve this goal various technics were tested in different pine specimens (Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea, Pinus radiata, Pinus sylvestris), and their result were reported in a manual that summarizes the results of the different experiments and has the description of the techniques used with the most success. The success of the technique was measured by different factors, first of all was if the fungi was present after the treatment, then the germination rate, and for last, the size of the plants created. The methods that had a high success in the lab experiments were put to the test in the field, in this case the plant nurseries, to check their feasibility in the “real world”. The seeds are one of the most important ways of dispersion of the fungi inside a plant nursery, therefore the disinfection of seeds is way to avoid and minimize the infection of plants by the disease. The treatments that will be described should be applied before the hydration of the seeds and after the treatments they are ready to be seeded. From the different approaches used the most successful ones were: Heating water until 60°C and submerging the seeds for 15 minutes maintaining the water temperature; Submerging the seed for 30 minutes in a solution of 20% H₂O₂ (Hydrogen peroxide); Submerging the seeds for 5 minutes in a solution of 60% C₂H₆O (Ethanol) or 70% in the case of P. pinea; Submerging the seeds for 5 minutes in a solution containing 1,9g of Captana (Captana 800 WDG) per litter of water. From the different techniques used in the disinfection of the plant containers, hydrogen peroxide was the substance that showed the best results and didn’t affect the growth of the plants. To achieve the expected result the containers should be submerged for 30 minutes in a solution of 20% H₂O₂ (Hydrogen peroxide). To disinfect the irrigation water the treatments should be applied in the reservoir of the water that is going to be used. The most effective treatments were: Appling 10,2 litters of Desogerme (Desogerme SP Vegetaux) per 1000 litters of water (1% solution); Appling 42 litters of Hydrocare (Intra Hydrocare) per 1000 litters of water (4% solution). Pine bark is used a lot by plant nurseries as a soil component that gives porosity to the soil, however because it comes from a host plant it may contribute to the dispersion of the disease. Different components that can do the same function as pine bark were tested, the maximum percentage of each tested component in the soil are: 30% for Perlite (2-6mm), Polystyrene foam grains (8-12mm), ADT cork grains (1-2mm) and 15% “falca” (shredded cork from the first debark). Lessons learned From this project a standard procedure was created to combat the infection by Fusarium circinatum in plant nurseries. Various techniques were tested for the different ways of this fungi dissemination, which are, in the case of pant nurseries, by infected seed, plant containers and the water used in irrigation. The ones that were effective in the elimination of the fungi and didn´t effect the germination rate or plant growth, were summarized and described in detail. All the results of the different case studies allowed the creation of different scientific articles, in this way sharing the results with the academic and scientific community. And the creations of a manual, easily available to plant nurseries workers with the methods tested. This manual “Technical manual for the suppliers of forestry reproduction materials – Prevetion of pine pitch canker” (“Manual técnico para fornecedores de materiais florestais de reprodução – Prevenção do cancroresinoso-do-pinheiro”) is available online and printed. It was freely distributed to forest owners associations, diverse entities related forestry and plant nurseries, which allows the information to reach its target audience. Contact information [email protected] Links to website/report/video Pictures ITHub 3 - 36 Title of innovation Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP): a practical tool for forest managers ITHub 3 FOREST4EU partner (short name) CNPF Operational Group (short name) OG Douglas Operational Group (name) OG Douglas : Climate Change, what future for douglas fir in Burgundy? Type of OG's partners (farmers, forest owners, researchers, advisors, businesses, environmental groups, consumer interests groups or other NGOs) forest owners, researchers, advisors Link from OGs database https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/changementclimatique-quel-avenir-pour-le-douglas.html Country, region, city France, Bourgogne - Franche Comté Type of innovation Technological innovation Keywords Forestry, Biodiversity and nature management, Decision support system Approach and main results The IBP was created in 2008 (Larrieu & Gonin, 2008) in order to help forest managers to take into account ordinary taxonomic biodiversity into routine management. It is an indirect and composite indicator which pools ten factors, identified as influencing the capacity of forest stands to support animal, plant and fungal species. IBP scoring is simple, fast and requires no particular taxonomic knowledge. In practice, it suffices to go through the stand by counting the elements relating to each of the ten factors and to give a score between 0 and 5 for each one. The sum of these scores gives the IBP and helps to place the stand in a range from low to high capacity. The IBP is usable in a range of contexts, as much in productive forests as in areas given over to conservation. It can also be used as a teaching aid in that it permits making certain principles that govern taking biodiversity into account easier to understand. The sampling method is chosen according to the objectives and the characteristics of the forest, the best way is to score IBP at the same time as another operation in the forest. For example, IBP can be scored during the visit of a stand before a thinning. The IBP will help the manager to identify the elements favourable to biodiversity to be preserved, in particular the trees of biodiversity interest, and the factors that could be improved. A radar diagram created with IBP scores is a good way to identify these differences between the factors. A few ways to improve each factor are proposed in the IBP educational document (Emberger et al., 2016). More generally, the diversity of ordinary species can be improved by multiplying the living habitats corresponding to the ten factors, and by ensuring their continuity, in time and space. In the end, the IBP gives the manager a new look at the forest, and this is the reason why the IBP is often used to explain biodiversity, not only to professionals but also to owners and more generally to all people concerned with forest biodiversity. Lessons learned The IBP was created in France, for all types of forests in the different biogeographical regions. Soon after, the stakeholders from different European and Mediterranean countries made clear their interest in acquiring an IBP definition adapted to their own contexts. For this purpose, a methodology was proposed and an international organisation was created: the International Committee of Experts. This Committee ensure the consistency of IBP extension projects, (i) by providing scientific and technical advice on new IBP versions, (ii) by discussing ongoing projects, (iii) by pooling resources. The first IBP extension was carried out through two Life projects: BIORGEST in Catalonia and GoProFor in Italy. Currently, this extension continues for the whole Spain and Greece through Life GoProFor Med project, while other countries are also testing IBP. Thus, these programmes help to create synergy at the international level on a common issue: the consideration of biodiversity in forest management. Contact information [email protected] Links to website/report/video Pictures