Research for the forests of the future
About the research programme
WIFORCE is a research programme seeking answers to what influences forest growth, resilience and biodiversity. The goal: new knowledge to manage and conserve forests in a changing climate.
The story behind WIFORCE
The forest is expected to meet many needs – but its growth is more uncertain than before. WIFORCE was born out of the need for new knowledge to help us manage and preserve forests in a changing climate.
WIFORCE Research School
The research school provides doctoral students with scientific competence to contribute to sustainable forest management. It brings together around 50 PhD students, including several industrial and collaborative doctoral students.
News
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Archived tree cores reveal why boreal forests are getting starved for nitrogen
Despite decades of industrial deposition, nitrogen availability in the boreal forest is steadily declining. In a new study published in Nature, researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences have found that atmospheric CO₂ is the main driver - using decades of unique, stored data. -
Trees do not just count cold – they use warm spells to track winter’s progress
To survive winter, trees must time spring growth with great precision. New research from Umeå Plant Science Centre shows that trees also use warm interruptions in early winter as signals, helping buds avoid opening too early.
Join us
Several PhD and postdoctoral positions linked to WIFORCE are currently open for application.
Most recently published projects
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The role of large mammalian herbivores for regeneration and diversity over time in boreal forest landscapes
Large herbivores such as moose and reindeer influence forest biodiversity, but their interaction with forestry and other disturbances is not fully understood. This project investigates how browsing, forestry and fire affect plant, lichen and soil communities over time in boreal forests. -
Ground-penetrating radar systems: making qualitative forest soil data quantitative
Analysis of soil structure in forest environments often relies on time-consuming and sometimes destructive sampling. This project develops innovative radar systems for non-invasive measurements of soil properties, enabling improved decision-making in forestry and environmental management. -
Efficient use of bioash in forestry
Can wood ash be used more efficiently in forestry? This project explores new application methods to turn wood ash into a resource rather than a waste product – while supporting nutrient balance and resource efficiency in forest ecosystems. -
Establishing standardized protocols for using environmental DNA to assess biodiversity of forests
How can we quickly and reliably identify which species are present in forests? This project develops standardized methods using environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess biodiversity and identify areas of high conservation value.