New research projects broaden forest research – strengthen WIFORCE

Forests play a central role in Sweden – as a source of energy, materials, biodiversity, recreation and climate benefits. At the same time, pressure on forests is increasing as more interests need to coexist, climate change accelerates and political demands for sustainable forest management grow. To address these challenges, research that highlights both ecological and societal dimensions of forests is needed.

The Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation and the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation now fund thirteen projects that examine the significance of forests from humanistic and social science perspectives. The projects focus on issues such as forest policy, land use, conflict, cultural history and people’s relationships with forests.

"Forest issues are multifaceted and affect many people both emotionally and economically. The forest is also an important social resource. Therefore, it is important to shed light on the issues from all scientific perspectives", says Astrid Söderbergh Widding, Executive Director of Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation and Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation.

The projects complement the research conducted within WIFORCE, which studies forest biodiversity, genetics, genomics and future silvicultural systems.

"To address future forest challenges, we need to understand both the biological processes within trees and the values and decisions that influence how forests are used. This initiative makes it possible to connect those perspectives and generate new knowledge that the forest sector truly needs", says Ove Nilsson, Programme Director of WIFORCE.

 
Nine grants from Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation:

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Francisco Aguilar, awarded grant of SEK 7 million for the project: “UNDERPINNED: Forest owners’ cognition and behaviors underpinning Swedish forest biodiversity”

Umeå University, Associate Professor Louise Eriksson, awarded grant of SEK 6 million for the project: “Bridging the Gaps: Social Dynamics in Climate-Adapted Forest Management”

Umeå University, Professor Britt-Inger Keisu, awarded grant of SEK 7 million for the project: “Changing Northern Landscapes: Forestry and Reindeer Husbandry in Sweden”

Umeå University, Professor Camilla Sandström, awarded grant of SEK 8 million for the project: “The art of governing forests mastering governance dilemmas across multiple levels”

Linnaeus University, Professor Andreas Stephan, awarded grant of SEK 8 million for the project: “Domestic Forest Governance and Global Timber Markets: A Policy Impact Assessment”

Jönköping University, Professor Leona Achtenhagen, awarded grant of SEK 5 million for the project: “Profit versus nature? How private forest owners can navigate conflicting institutional logics in a highly politicized landscape to make better use of their forests”

Stockholms University, Dr Ingo Fetzer, awarded grant of SEK 8 million for the project: “Resilient Innovation and Sustainable Knowledge for Swedish Forest Management in the Anthropocene”

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Dr Harry Fischer, awarded grant of SEK 7 million for the project: “Restoration Futures in Sweden´s forests for biodiversity & human well-being”

Umeå University, Associate Professor Daniel Nylén, awarded grant of SEK 7 million for the project: “One Forest, Many Voices: Leveraging Digital Forestry to Promote Environmental Justice”

Four grants from Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation:

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Lars Östlund, awarded grant of SEK 5 million for the project: “Promoting sustainable forestry in the future by understanding human forest interactions in the past (PastForests)” 

Umeå University, Professor Erland Mårald, awarded grant of SEK 5 million for the project: “Forests of Emotions: Merging Historical and Philosophical Perspectives to Understand the Role of Emotions in Forest Debates” 

Lund University, Dr Jimmy Jönsson, awarded grant of SEK 5 million for the project: “Forest knowledge in action: Historical inquires for integrated forest management futures” 

Umeå University, Associate Professor Janina Priebe, awarded grant of SEK 5 million for the project: “The intersection of scientific knowledge and public discourse in the transition from natural to artificial methods of tree improvement” 

More about the projects.

About WIFORCE

Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research, WIFORCE, is a strategic initiative in natural science-based forest research at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), funded by Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The research program spans the range of variation within individual species to the diversity of entire forest landscapes. The focus is on basic scientific research in genetics, genomics, biotechnology, biodiversity and future forestry. The program also includes a research school.

The Foundation has allocated SEK 513 million over twelve years during the period 2019–2030.

Contact

Astrid Söderbergh Widding, Executive Director Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation and Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation
mmw@wallenbergfoundations.se