A new national arena for forest research and data analysis in Sweden

“This is a unique initiative that for the first time makes it possible to bring forest-related data together in one place and prepare it for advanced analyses using modern computing capacity and artificial intelligence. By combining growth data, climate data, soil data and other data sources, we gain entirely new opportunities to understand what governs forest development and climate benefits,” says Ove Nilsson, Programme Director of WIFORCE.

The arena is funded by Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Kempe Foundations, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, as well as companies and organisations within the forest sector, and represents a total investment of approximately SEK 180 million. It is a central part of the broader WIFORCE programme, which amounts to more than SEK 900 million over the period 2019–2030 and is largely funded by Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Part of SLU’s co-funding is made possible through a donation to the university.

The arena initiative is based on close collaboration between academia, public authorities and actors within the forest sector. Among the organisations involved are several of the largest stakeholders in Swedish forestry, including Sveaskog, SCA, Holmen, Stora Enso, Kopparfors, Södra, the Swedish Forest Agency, the Skogssällskapet Foundation and Skogforsk.

“Forests are of great importance both to Sweden and to the Swedish population. The WIFORCE programme aims to identify the best solutions for the future use and conservation of Swedish forests. The research arena will be a powerful tool in achieving this, by making it possible to compile and make data available for further analysis by both researchers and actors within the forest sector,” says Sara Mazur, Executive Director at the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

Growing need for knowledge in a changing climate

Forests are facing several climate-related challenges, and it remains unclear whether recent declines in growth and stress-related damage are temporary or the beginning of a long-term trend. There is therefore a strong need for new knowledge and improved models to support future forest management and to balance objectives related to production, climate benefits and biodiversity.

A national forest data support centre forms the hub of the arena initiative and is designed to enable the use of Sweden’s extensive forest data in entirely new ways. Today, data from the National Forest Inventory, laser scanning, environmental monitoring, forestry operations and forest research are distributed across different systems and are often used separately.

Through the centre, data will be brought together and quality-assured by a dedicated professional function, facilitating work for both researchers and actors within the forest sector. The centre will have access to advanced computing capacity through the HPC2N supercomputing centre at Umeå University and the national research programme Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP).

“We are convinced that Sweden can take a leading position in data-driven forest research. With this initiative, we are at the forefront of developing analyses that have not previously been possible within the forest domain,” says Ove Nilsson.

The centre will provide a shared and quality-assured data foundation that can be used in models and analyses, supporting the development of future decision-support within the forest sector.

Field research arenas provide long-term knowledge

In addition to the data support centre, WIFORCE Arena comprises three field research arenas that together provide a broad and long-term foundation for research on forest development. The arenas focus on forest climate and water processes, the effects of different forest management practices, and the genetic variation and resilience of trees.

Within the field research arenas, researchers from different disciplines will collaborate with authorities, the forest industry and other stakeholders to study forestry from multiple perspectives. By linking these field environments and other relevant forest research with shared data storage and modelling, a platform is created where researchers, the forest sector and public authorities can analyse how climate change and forest management affect biodiversity, growth and climate benefits. The research also provides the detailed and long-term knowledge required to develop robust models and decision-support for future forest management.

FACTS: WIFORCE Arena

National forest data support centre

Collects and quality-assures forest-related data from research, industry and public authorities. Enables advanced modelling, artificial intelligence and analyses using modern computing capacity, and provides a shared data foundation for future decision-support.

Field research arena for climate, water and biodiversity

Studies how drought, hydrology, temperature variation and management practices affect forest development and ecological processes.

Field research arena for forest management, biodiversity and climate benefits

Analyses the effects of different forest management systems – from conventional practices to continuous-cover forestry and restoration measures – with a focus on production, climate benefits and carbon sequestration.

Field research arena for genetic diversity and resilience

Links genetic variation to tree growth, drought tolerance, wood properties and resistance to pests and diseases, providing a basis for climate-adapted forest breeding.