RESEARCH GROUP

Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research

Updated: June 2025

We explore how climate, environment, and genetics affect forest growth and health. Through fundamental research, the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research (WIFORCE) generates knowledge for the sustainable management of forests in a changing climate.

The research programme is a strategic initiative in natural science-based forest research at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

WIFORCE builds on two strong research programs – one focused on future silviculture and one in forest biology and biotechnology – and is now expanding with several new components. A key investment is the research school, where more than 50 PhD students are being trained, 16 of whom in collaboration with industry and other stakeholders. The program also includes the establishment of five new research groups with cutting-edge expertise to address future challenges. In addition, new arenas for collaboration and innovation are being developed – tools for the future management and conservation of forests.

More about the research programme

Programme Director, WIFORCE Research School
Hjalmar Laudon, Professor of Biogeochemistry in Forest Landscapes
070-560 66 25, hjalmar.laudon@slu.se

Programme Director, Forest Biology and Biotechnology Research Programme, and Deputy Programme Director, WIFORCE Research School
Ove Nilsson, Professor of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology
070-286 90 82, ove.nilsson@slu.se

Programme Director, Future Silviculture Research Programme
Sandra Jämtgård, Researcher in Echophysiology
070-283 60 14, sandra.jamtgard@slu.se 

Director of Studies and Research Coordinator, WIFORCE Research School
Maria Israelsson Nordström
070-208 76 26, maria.nordstrom@slu.se

Research Coordinator
Anke Carius
090-786 83 35, anke.carius@slu.se

Communications Officer
Susanna Bergström
090-786 82 99, susanna.bergstrom@slu.se