About the SLU Forest Damage Centre

Climate change is expected to increase the incidence of several different types of forest damage. In addition, grazing damage caused by ungulates will remain at excessively high levels. This damage affects both the growth of the forest and the biological diversity.

We work towards preventing forest damage and monitor forest damage caused by a wide range of pests. The SLU Forest Damage Center is virtual and brings together SLU's research and environmental analysis in the field of forest damage.

Areas of activity

SLU Skogsskadecentrum works with:

1. Compilation of existing knowledge and identification of knowledge gaps regarding abiotic and biotic forest damage.
2. Generation of new knowledge to prevent forest damage.
3. Competence development linked to forest damage and forestry's climate adaptation, within academia, authorities and practical forestry. Includes basic education, postgraduate education and continuing education (in close cooperation with the Norwegian Forestry Agency), in close cooperation with forestry and other authorities.
4. Continuous monitoring of damage and populations of known pests.
5. Ongoing analyzes of risks for damage outbreaks and their consequences.
6. Inventories and compilations in connection with outbreaks of damage in collaboration with the Norwegian Forestry Agency. SLU is responsible for managing the Target-tailored forest damage inventory.

SLU Forest Damage Center's research school

The research school at the SLU Forest Damage Centre is an important component both for knowledge development in the field and for the supply of competence within universities, research institutes, authorities and forest companies. Currently, there is a significant need to increase the competence linked to forest damage in society at large and within all these categories of organizations. Read more about SLU Forest Damage Center's Research School.

Environmental monitoring

The ongoing collection of data on damage and populations of pests in Swedish forest ecosystems is an important part of the SLU Forest Damage Centre. The data contributes important information and support the centre's analysis function, but can also be relevant for research and other government work. Read more about Monitoring.

Analysis function

Our analysts continuously analyze national risks for damage outbreaks based on existing data, produce risk maps, develop evidence for how risks can be reduced, make knowledge compilations and impact analyzes and identify knowledge gaps. The analysis function is also a knowledge support in connection with damage outbreaks or other events and contribute to external and internal communication. Read more about the Analysis function.