Three SLU researchers receive Wallenberg funding for research on the future of forests
Three researchers at SLU have been awarded grants within the Wallenberg Foundations’ initiative in humanities and social science forest research. The projects will generate new knowledge on forest restoration, forest owners’ decisions and the role of forest history in future forest management.
The Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation and the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation are jointly funding a total of thirteen projects in the initiative, with a combined allocation of SEK 90 million. Three of the projects are led by researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
The initiative complements the fundamental research programme Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research (WIFORCE) at SLU, which deepens understanding of the processes underlying forest growth, survival and biodiversity.
"The fact that three SLU projects have been awarded funding in this initiative demonstrates the breadth and quality of our forest research. Humanities and social science perspectives are essential for understanding how forests are used, valued and managed. These projects contribute knowledge that is central to sustainable forest management", says Göran Ericsson, Dean of the Faculty of Forest Sciences.
Restoration Futures in Sweden’s Forests for Biodiversity and Human Well-Being
Principal Investigator: Harry Fischer
The project examines how the EU Nature Restoration Law can be implemented in Sweden in ways that promote both biodiversity and human well-being. Through case studies in different parts of the country, interviews with landowners and decision-makers, and analyses of biodiversity, the research team will develop knowledge on how large-scale forest restoration targets can be pursued in ways that integrate environmental goals, production needs, and diverse human values. The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Swedish Forest Agency.
The project is funded with SEK 7 million by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation.
Forest owners’ cognition and behaviors underpinning Swedish forest biodiversity
Principal Investigator: Francisco X. Aguilar
Private non-industrial forest owners manage around half of Sweden’s productive forest land. This project examines how their values, motivations, economic incentives, and local conditions influence the adoption of forest management practices that can support greater biodiversity. The research team will combine interviews, a national survey, and analytical approaches from psychology, economics, and forest modelling.
The project is funded with SEK 7 million by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation.
Promoting sustainable forestry in the future by understanding human forest interactions in the past
Principal Investigator: Lars Östlund
By combining historical forest archives with modern techniques such as LiDAR and 3D photography, the project investigates how natural processes and past human forest use have shaped today’s forests. The researchers document cultural remains, analyse long-term changes in forest structure, and collect narratives from people who have worked in the forest. The aim is to generate historically grounded knowledge that can contribute to more sustainable forestry.
The project is funded with SEK 5 million by the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation.
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In the top image: The researchers Francisco X. Aguilar, Lars Östlund and Harry Fischer have been awarded grants in the call.
Contact
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PersonGöran Ericsson, Dean, Professor of Wildlife EcologyDepartment of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies
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PersonOve Nilsson, Programme Director WIFORCEDepartment of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology