Seeds of renewal: collaboration for climate-resilient forests in North Rhine-Westphalia 

Louisa Louisa Bouri-Saouter on November 20, 2025

Seeds of renewal: collaboration for climate-resilient forests in North Rhine-Westphalia 

Article written by Louisa Bouri-Saouter and Gesche Schifferdecker

When tourists come to visit Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, some wonder what has happened. Around the Lömecke Tower, an observation tower about 35 meters high in the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park, the once endless spruce forests are gone. Since 2018, about 133,000 hectares of spruce forest have been damaged by a series of calamities that triggered a snowball effect. Hurricane Friederike destroyed large areas of spruce forest and droughts weakened the trees further by reducing their resin production, a precious fluid which normally helps trees protect themselves against pests. Bark beetles, which mainly attack dying or weakened spruces, did not miss the opportunity. 

Larissa Janzen, coordinator for the German Demonstration Area in the EU project SUPERB, recalls in our recent workshop: “It happened very quickly. We even heard stories of forest owners losing their entire forests in just two weeks!” For forestry professionals who have witnessed entire landscapes transform in record time, the sound of bark beetles destroying the trees is still unforgettable. 

Calamities affected all altitudes, creating fragmented landscapes 

However, despite the initial shock, restoration efforts were quickly initiated. Under the SUPERB project, restoration actions have been carried out across 29 demonstration sites (around 34 hectares) with different types of ownership – private, municipal, church, and state.  The Wald und Holz team, the NRW lead partner in the SUPERB project, reports that 46% of the 133,000 hectares of calamity area have been reforested through natural regeneration of spruce and pine. “But it is important to note that these species might not be the best suited to face future conditions,” observes Larissa Janzen. 

That is why another key restoration action implemented in North Rhine-Westphalia is the adaptation of tree species composition to climate change. To achieve this, the team creates species distribution models that take into account factors such as water availability, soil nutrients, temperature, and vegetation. They can then identify which species (including species which are currently not growing in NRW) could potentially grow and survive under new climate conditions in the area. 

Larissa Janzen is showing the landscape transformation in record time around the Lömecke Tower 

However, miscalculations can occur, and the uncertainty regarding the potential impacts of certain tree species on local ecosystems remains. For this reason, multiple species are often combined to increase their overall chances of survival. 

Kilian Marx, a specialist in forest growth and introduced tree species at Wald und Holz, highlights the complexity of tree species selection: “Everyone talks about species first, but there are huge differences within the same species. For example, the Douglas fir has a coastal and an inland variant, but only the coastal one can be planted here because it can resist diseases such as the Swiss needle cast that would kill the inland type.” 

All findings from the Wald und Holz work on tree species selection are shared with forest owners. Through a GIS-based tool, owners can explore which tree species would best fit on their sites through recommendations based on RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) future climate projections. They can then make their own decisions about their forest management in alignment with both the federal and state forest laws. 

Kilian Marx is talking to journalists during a field visit about the importance of tree species selection 

An important component of climate-adapted forest restoration – what experts now call prestoration – begins outside the forest itself, in places like the Jungermann regional forest nursery, the “Kinderschule des Waldes,” where every tree’s journey starts as a seed in soil. Here, the work stretches from careful seed selection to optimizing genetics to finally raising the young plants that will repopulate damaged landscapes. Much has changed, says Nursery owner Stefan Jungermann: “Where once 7,000 seedlings were planted per hectare, today only about 2,000 are set into the ground.” 

After the bark-beetle calamities, demand collapsed by more than 80% for water-hungry species, shifting attention toward mixed forests, though private forest owners still favor economically valuable conifers when state funding for broadleaves is lacking, Jungermann explains. The nursery cultivates seedlings on 8,000 square meters of harvest area, part of its total 130-hectare operation, and must adapt constantly to the risks of climate extremes. One wet winter wiped out an entire cohort of oak seedlings – 300,000 lost as acorns fouled in saturated soil. Late frost is even more dangerous: in February, if temperatures drop, the whole team wakes before dawn to spray the young plants, encasing them in a protective shell of ice. With the state of NRW providing 17 million euros for reforestation in 2025 – less the following year – every decision counts, from choosing between equally priced oak and larch (though oak is far costlier to maintain) to experimenting with “trendy” newcomers like sweet chestnut, atlas cedar, and Western Red Cedar. There is no single “tree of the future,” the Jungermann family insists; resilience will come from diversity and matching species to their sites.  

Tourism, too, is undergoing a quiet transformation as the Sauerland landscape changes. Although visitor numbers have not declined, the region’s identity is shifting: the dense, seemingly endless spruce forests that once defined the area’s “green” image have largely disappeared – “revealing, in hindsight, how strongly monocultures had shaped the visual character of the landscape”, says Rouven Soyka, press officer at Sauerland Tourism. With 5,000 km², Sauerland still contains many intact and diverse forest areas, yet the contrast between damaged and healthy stands is unmistakable to hikers and holidaymakers. Climate change is also reshaping winter tourism, as snow reliability continues to drop and ski seasons shrink. To address public concerns and maintain transparency, the city of Arnsberg, foresters and tourism managers together have intensified the outreach, offering guided tours and organizing citizen planting days. While these volunteer plantings contribute little to large-scale restoration, they have proven invaluable for public engagement, helping visitors and residents alike understand the painstaking, decades-long process of rebuilding a resilient forest – and the new forms of beauty and biodiversity that may emerge. 

In this careful choreography between climate, species, and human stewardship, the Wald und Holz team and their diverse local partners stand together at the quiet but crucial beginning of tomorrow’s forests. 

SUPERB final General Assembly: three days to celebrate and discuss the pan-European four-year project’s legacy! 

Louisa Louisa Bouri-Saouter on November 6, 2025

SUPERB final General Assembly

Restoration Story by Louisa Bouri-Saouter

After four years of intensive and inspiring collaboration between researchers, forestry practitioners, policymakers, NGOs, local communities, and forest and nature agencies, our community had the chance to reunite one last time for the SUPERB Final General Assembly (GA). 

Held between the 10th and 12th  of September in the heart of Europe, in beautiful Leuven, the GA hosted passionate exchanges about success stories, lessons learned and achievements from the 8 different work packages. As Elisabeth Schatzdorfer, project coordinator, nicely put it in her welcoming speech “This General Assembly is meant to appreciate together what we have achieved“.   

After giving some historical context about the city of Leuven and its well-known university, KU Leuven, local host and engaging professor Bart Muys paved the way for the first session of the event, which focused on updates from the work packages. 

Results of the “huge collective efforts,” as highlighted by Alex Bush, researcher at Lancaster University, were shared with an audience eager to hear about the diverse outcomes after four years of collaboration. For example, the WP6 (Ecosystem and Biodiversity Management) team presented some of their main deliverables, including the development of cost-efficient systems for monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem services. They used various techniques such as DNA metabarcoding, ecoacoustics, and drone-based remote sensing. WP3 (Practical Knowledge) leader, Iciar Alberdi highlighted her team’s scientific articles and infographic developed from 18 historical national narratives on the evolution of forest restoration. Another main achievement, from WP5 (Governance and Society), was the creation of a toolkit for exploring public perspectives on restoration and monitoring governance of restoration projects in the EU. 

An important part of these diverse new resources can be now found on the Forest Knowledge Gateway, another major achievement of WP8 (working on Upscaling Forest Restoration), which even had its own dedicated spot in different following session. As explained to a very engaged audience by Gesche Schifferdecker, Communications Manager, the Gateway website is a curated and science-based knowledge platform designed to provide different types of stakeholders with the information they need for their forest restoration and integrative forest management activities and projects. Thomas Lundhede, leader of WP4 (The economics and innovative sustainable financing of restoration) followed with an introduction of the Marketplace, a platform now also linked to the Gateway, which aims to help match nature-positive projects (such as large-scale restoration projects) with potential funders. 

The Forest Knowledge Gateway presentation began with a much-needed stretching session 

In the afternoon, our consortium members got new perspectives through discussions about good practices from SUPERB’s demo sites and from the results of various research outputs, presented either as oral presentations or posters. Those sessions were organised in different rooms to allow for more in-depth discussions on a range of quite fascinating topics: planning and design of bee highways, acoustic monitoring of birds and bats as indicators of forest restoration, post-fire treatments in Mediterranean forests… and many more. 

Poster presentation 

On our way to Leuven’s Faculty Club to conclude the day with a sophisticated multi-course vegan dinner, Bart Muys gave us the pleasure of telling us the story of Leuven and particularly of the Grand Beguinage, an historic area we walked through, established around 1232 as a community for religious women. 

This was a  beautiful conclusion to a first day at the General Assembly that was as intense as it was cheerful! 

Bart Muys is organizing an historical visit around Leuven 

The second day started with individual Work Package parallel sessions. Teams discussed the outcomes of their collaborations and how they plan to continue disseminating their knowledge. These collective takeaways were later shared with the entire SUPERB assembly. 

From these discussions emerged a shared feeling of wanting to upscale and build upon the knowledge acquired over the past four years. Iciar Alberdi, leader of WP3, shared that they would also like to highlight all the methods they have been using in their work while Jürgen Bauhus, leader of WP6, emphasized that several steps still need to be taken to fully understand the effects of restoration on biodiversity. Others discussed the final deliverables to come, as well as their strong willingness to continue collaborating and to maintain the large and vibrant community they have built. The “Building Upon” sessions of the day reflected these shared aspirations. 

“These large-scale collaborations are leaving an important legacy, and the communities will continue building beyond SUPERB,” expressed Elisabeth Schatzdorfer, EFI Principal Scientist and SUPERB Coordinator, during the closing of the General Assembly. She also expressed her deep gratitude to researchers, implementers, demo representatives for their great work, as well as to all the administrative and finance staff working diligently behind the scenes. 

The day concluded on a joyful note with the “SUPERB song” written by Gesche Schifferdecker, celebrating the project’s great collaborative spirit and its lasting legacy, embodied in the Gateway. 

Of course, the General Assembly wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the forest. Now it was time to see restoration in action, making the lessons discussed over the past few days come alive! 

On the last day, a group of participants joined our excursion to the Netherlands, starting with a visit to the inspiring Dutch Demo site in Horst aan de Maas.  Amusement parks, horse-riding centers, agricultural lands… and of course forests, the landscape mosaic perfectly reflected the diversity of land uses in the area. When it comes to the forest, 150 years ago it was actually almost non-existent. The landscape consisted mainly of heathlands and sandy dunes with poor soil. Around 1900, pines were planted, and the harvested wood was primarily used for the mining industry. Over time, management practices evolved, and thanks to restoration and recreation purposes, the forest has become much more multifunctional, with a greater variety of tree species such as oaks and beeches, and a more diversified age structure. 

The biggest challenge for restoration remained soil acidification, as nutrient cycles have been disturbed. This explains the philosophy of this demo “restoration starts with soils!” 
Several measures have been applied to restore soil health, starting with hydrological restoration to improve the water system and reduce dehydration. The team also planted Tilia trees, a species producing nutrient-rich litter, on soils that are still relatively healthy and contain minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These trees help bring minerals back to the surface from deeper levels in the grounds as their leaves decompose. They planted at least five trees per patch are already « human-sized » to further increase survival chances. 

Tilia tree 

Another, quite impressive measure was the use of helicopters to spread rock dust and replenish missing minerals. The Dutch demo team has also planted over 28 different species to observe how they respond to climate change and adapt to new conditions. By making the forest more resilient, they are also aiming at combating diseases affecting the area and particularly pine and fir trees. 

Another interesting aspect of their work, as emphasized by Dutch demo manager Maaike de Graaf, is the dialogue with private owners. These private owners manage forest plots ranging from 1 to 50 hectares and represent about 30% of the area, while municipalities own about two-thirds. Many private owners are willing to actively co-create more biodiverse forests together with the Dutch team and have agreed to significantly reduce harvesting, from usually 6  cubic meters per hectare to just 1. 

After a pleasant lunch stop at a Café, the group headed to Groote Heide, a forest area planted around 120 years ago, notable for its many fens. Participants enjoyed a walk through a forest dominated by broadleaf trees, with a rich diversity of species including hornbeam, Tilias, Corsican pines, and birch. 

For about 25 years, forest management had focused on hydrology and biodiversity, but the landscape looked quite different in the past, as our host showed us on a map from 1968. Large clear-cut areas and farmland were visible. In the early 1900s, when the forest was first planted, water production companies drained fens, and groundwater extraction became important for regional drinking water. 

The Groote Heide area in 1968 

In recent years, the priorities changed and water companies, which remain heavily involved in landscape management, have renovated extraction infrastructure and filled in ditches, allowing water production and nature protection to coexist. Forest managers implementing restoration measures in the area have also observed that filling the ditches contributed significantly to restoring soil diversity. 

Retaining dead wood is another key measure in the area. Our host shared an interesting fact about how moss species began growing on large dead trunks, species that haven’t been seen in the South of the Netherlands for many years. 

Our brave participants on the excursion, the last day of the GA 

“Restoring forests and facts: how Social Media analysis can shape environmental stories

Gesche Schifferdecker on October 14, 2025

Social Media analysis tool

A new article from researchers involved in SUPERB underscores how social media platforms can serve as valuable sources for climate and environmental journalism. Published as the first in a two-part series titled “Climate Reporting: 5 Tips for Sourcing Stories Online,” the piece offers practical guidance for journalists seeking to use digital data to better understand public engagement with nature and restoration initiatives.

The SUPERB project provided the research basis for this work. By analysing online conversations across five digital platforms and twelve European forest sites, including our demonstration sites in Scotland’s Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains, the researchers demonstrated how online engagement can reveal diverse and evolving narratives about forests, biodiversity, and ecological recovery.

The authors Thais Lobo (Kings Colleague London/KCL), Rina Tsubaki (European Forest Institute), Liliana Bounegru, Jonathan Gray (both KCL), and Gabriele Colombo (Politechnical University of Milan) emphasize that social media data, while not neutral, can offer rich leads for environmental storytelling when used critically. Their checklist advises journalists to “mind the platform,” “collect creatively,” and “search smart,” reflecting the varied ways people and communities relate to nature online.

Importantly, the research highlights that looking beyond viral trends can help surface under-represented voices and perspectives, such as local citizens, seasonal workers, and lesser-known species that form part of restoration ecosystems. These insights are vital for projects like SUPERB, which aim to connect ecological restoration with social inclusion and public participation.

As part of SUPERB’s broader mission to enhance Europe’s forest resilience, the study positions digital platforms as powerful tools for transparency, engagement, and evidence-based storytelling – bridging the gap between scientific research, community experience, and public awareness in the climate crisis.

From pixels to pines: exploring Bulgaria’s Rhodopes Forests

Annabel Burg on September 30, 2025

Excursion group in Bulgaria

#RestorationStory by Annabel Burg, Sietse van der Woude, and Niamh Kelly

It was the last day of June 2025 when our small group set out from Schiphol Airport. Traveling with us, three PhD students from Wageningen University and Research, were two colleagues: Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Professor of European Forest Resources at Wageningen University, and Thomas Groen, Associate Professor of Remote Sensing at the University of Twente. Our destination was Bulgaria – a country that, until then, most of us knew little about. We were curious, not only about its history and culture, but especially about its landscapes. Despite its modest size, Bulgaria is blessed with mountains, rivers, caves, and lakes. More than one-third of the country is covered by forests, making it one of Europe’s most densely forested and biodiverse nations.

The roots of this journey stretched back a few months earlier. In February, during a meeting in Suceava, Romania, Gert-Jan had spoken with Tzvetan Zlatanov, Professor of Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. That conversation marked the beginning of a collaboration. In the weeks that followed, Tzvetan shared with us a treasure trove of information: a forest inventory database compiled from over 150 forest enterprises across Bulgaria, with data on about one million forest stands. It was an extraordinary resource. But data can only take us so far. To truly understand forests, we also need to see them. And so, this trip was born – part scientific mission, part field validation, and part opportunity to experience Bulgarian forests firsthand.

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Three Words for Forest: Where Theatre Meets the Trees

Gesche Schifferdecker on September 26, 2025

What if a play could change the way we see forests?

In a small rehearsal room at the University of Glasgow, words gathered like leaves. They weren’t just any words, but the real voices of forestry practitioners, researchers, and policymakers: thirty people who spend their lives among trees, wrestling with the question of how to care for them in a rapidly changing climate.

Those voices became Three Words for Forest: Exploring Uncertainty in a Time of Climate Crisis, a verbatim theatre production co-created by University of Glasgow’s Professor Deirdre Heddon and Dr Rachel Clive, which can also be watched online now.

Performed by a professional creative team, the play doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations. It dives into the tensions and uncertainties of forestry today: the urgency of climate change, the spread of disease, the pressure to plant millions of new trees, and the disagreements about the best way forward. Yet through it all runs a deep current of care – for forests, for landscapes, and for future generations.

The project is part of newLEAF, a research programme within the UK’s Future of Treescapes, which explores how trees adapt to climate change and the vital role humans play in their survival. With only 13% of the UK currently covered in woodland, and the government pledging to increase that significantly, the stakes could not be higher. Resilience will depend not just on science, but on people – people willing to connect, learn, and imagine together.

Now, thanks to new funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the filmed play will be shared more widely. Accessible versions – complete with audio description, sign language interpretation, and supported viewing formats – open the conversation to more communities. Workshop guides are also being created so schools, community groups, and forestry organisations can use the film as a springboard for dialogue and reflection.

For Professor Heddon, this is about building what she calls forest citizenship:

“Our research showed that forestry specialists want better conversations across differing views, and that while the public cares about forests, many feel disconnected from the forestry sector. This funding allows us to build bridges and raise awareness of forestry as a career and sector.”

Dr Clive, who co-wrote and directed the play, sees theatre itself as a bridge:

“Theatre helps us to connect emotionally and practically with change. This funding lets us co-create new resources with partners to support wider engagement with the play’s insights.”

The project has also drawn praise from scientists within newLEAF. Dr Stephen Cavers of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology highlights how the arts are helping bring diverse voices together:

“Three Words for Forest has really shown the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, to connect us with new audiences and highlight the voices of the diverse community of people engaged with our trees and forests.”

And for Dr David Edwards of Forest Research, the project shows how creativity can unlock new ways of seeing:

“The project demonstrates the power of the arts and humanities to collaborate meaningfully with scientists and help us see the world in new ways. The follow-on funding will help more people connect with forest science, foresters, and forests.”

In a time when the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, Three Words for Forest invites us into a different kind of conversation – not just about what we can do for forests, but about what forests mean to us, and how listening to each other might shape a more resilient future.

Featured image: Production Forestry – Charlotte Driessler, Helen Cuinn and Tam Dean Burn (Photo credit: Rachel Clive)

Crowdfunding Campaign: Seeding Eternal Forest in Faia Brava – first of 1,000 forest sanctuaries – connecting art, community, and forest

Rahel Könen on September 10, 2025

For the first time, Eternal Forest and Faia Brava join efforts to create a sanctuary where contemporary art meets nature conservation — in Portugal’s first private protected area, which in 2025 celebrates its 25th anniversary.

This event will bring together thinkers, decision-makers, and key actors in the fields of art and ecosystem regeneration.

Through a crowdfunding campaign, they invite you to take part and support this first phase of the project.

On November 7–8, 2025, the initiative will take the first steps to seed a forest that is not only regenerative and biodiverse but also a living work of art. Created through the partnership of Eternal Forest, a global art and ecology initiative founded in Portugal, and Faia Brava – Associação de Conservação da Natureza, a protected reserve stewarded for 25 years, this will be a forest like no other.

You are warmly invited to join Eternal Forest in person on the days of November 2025 at Faia Brava for this unforgettable gathering. Come plant the first trees through a regenerative artistic design, meet the artists, scientists, and guardians, and take part in an experience of art and poetry, along with a symposium on art, forest, and community in collaboration with the Côa Park Foundation — an event open to all who wish to participate, support, or witness this historic moment.

🌿 This is just the beginning: first chapter of a long-term vision, first forest sanctuary out of 1,000!

The planting in November is not a one-off event — it’s the first chapter of a multi-generational project that will unfold over the years. Eternal Forest Faia Brava will grow slowly and meaningfully, rooted in care, co-creation, and ecological knowledge.

This crowdfunding campaign will provide them with the resources to not only deliver the first phase and the event in November, but also to develop vital research and collaborative designs that can be replicated to grow Eternal Forests all over Portugal. 

By contributing to this campaign, you are planting the first seeds of a sanctuary that will continue to grow over generations, ecologically, artistically, and communally. 

🌿 What this campaign supports

With your help, the initiative hopes to raise €22,000 to fund the Seed of Eternal Forest Faia Brava, the Phase 1 of the project, including:

  • Organise an artistic residency and a technical visit at Faia Brava to do on-site research and ecological listening to select the most meaningful planting location, while connecting to local community, initiatives and planning the project
  • Create a collaborative design of the forest sanctuary: artist Evgenia Emets and regenerative designer Maurício Umann of Fractal Regenerative Technologies, together with biodiversity specialists and plant experts, focusing on creating habitats
  • Prepare the site and plant the first trees in November, including transport, logistics, plants, materials and equipment
  • Organise the Seeding Eternal Forest in Faia Brava Symposium in collaboration with Côa Museum
  • Community gathering and village celebration
  • Filming of the process of creating the Eternal Forest Sanctuary + short trailer
  • A digital and physical publication about the process of creating Eternal Forest Sanctuary

🌿 Why Eternal Forest is creating this project

This Eternal Forest is an invitation to long-term thinking. They are creating a habitat for the future old-growth forest, not a plantation. A seed of Eternal Forest – native species will be planted in an artistic design — guided by biodiversity, artistic vision, regenerative design and a deep respect for place.

The forest will grow alongside artistic residencies, education, and community participation, becoming a space of beauty, resilience, and cultural continuity.

The site sits in the Côa Valley, home to some of Europe’s most extraordinary prehistoric engravings and paintings — a region where nature and culture have always been entwined. 

CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE? https://seed.eternalforest.earth/event-en

Eternal Forest began in Portugal in 2018 and has since grown into an international network of artists, ecologists, and communities. Our vision is to create 1,000 forest sanctuaries protected for 1,000 years – and Faia Brava will be the very first.  https://www.eternalforest.earth/ 

Faia Brava is Portugal’s first classified Private Protected Area, part of the Natura 2000 network, IBA and Côa Archaeological Park (UNESCO). Spanning 1,000 ha of sustainably managed natural landscapes, it features stunning landscape of Côa River with wild cliffs, native forest of cork oaks, holm oaks. It provides critical habitat for griffon and Egyptian vultures, golden and Bonelli’s eagles, and black storks. Emblematic species like wildcats, otters, roe deer, and wild boar help sustain the ecosystem and naturally reduce wildfire risk. 

Image credits: Marco Piano, Eternal Forest

Three steps to forest vitality: How restoration is taking root in the Netherlands

Daria Kononenko on July 31, 2025

Restoration Story by SUPERB Dutch demo

In the Southern Netherlands, forest revitalization is underway in Kronenbergse Bos, where forest experts are reversing decades of soil degradation. In this region, many forests were planted around the year 1900 on nutrient-poor sandy soils, primarily with Scots pine for the mining industry. Today, they face acidification, drought, and climate extremes, weakening forest resilience and biodiversity.

As part of the SUPERB project, Bosgroep Zuid Nederland is taking the following steps to restore forest ecosystem and support it in adapting to changing climate conditions:

Water system recovery
Water systems are being restored to counter long-term soil drying, one of the major threats to forest vitality in this sandy, drought-prone area.

Tree species diversification
Thousands of rich-litter tree species – such as sweet cherry, linden, hazel, and Norway maple – were planted. Their easily decomposable leaves improve soil fertility and promote biodiversity.

Soil restoration
Over 60 hectares of finely ground rock dust were spread to replenish depleted minerals, restoring acidified and dried-out soils.

Many newly planted trees have already survived their first dry summer, marking a hopeful sign for this forest’s resilient future.

Watch the video from the demo site to see the restoration work up close

Play

Forest Modelling: Exploring the Future of Scottish Forests under Diverse Restoration Actions 

Louisa Louisa Bouri-Saouter on July 23, 2025

Forest Modelling: Exploring the Future of Scottish Forests under Diverse Restoration Actions

Restoration Story by Louisa Bouri-Saouter

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to look into the future? With climate change on the horizon, many hope to understand what we are walking into. So, what if we could get a glimpse of tomorrow’s forests? What if we could see what this vital ecosystem is becoming or could become? When it comes to Scottish forests, that’s exactly what six researchers have explored*. 

By using forest resource modelling, researchers have projected what would happen to forests in Scotland when different forest restoration activities are applied. In total, 1,411,958 hectares of forests were simulated, within which the forest restoration activities were carried out on 33% of this total area (approximately 463,536 hectares). Forest development under a « Business-As-Usual » scenario and two different restoration scenarios were projected over the next 30 years, until 2055. 

Map of initialized NFI plots in Scotland, in total 15 523 plots. Colour of the bar represents the initial dominant species or species group per plot, and height of the bar shows the initial growing stock volume.

Here’s what the projections reveal about these two restoration scenarios: 

Following current Scottish Government regulations on sanitation felling in larch forests infested with pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, the first scenario focused on the implication of Larch removal on 65,007 hectares (5% of Scotland’s forest area). This large-scale sanitation felling, including the removal of larch trees near infested areas to prevent the spread of pathogen, was followed by the replanting of a mix of future-suitable species such as Sitka spruce, birch, and rowan.

Projection results show a clear increase in harvested volumes during the first five years as a direct result of the larch removal. However, this short-term rise gradually declines and stabilizes over time, aligning with the harvested volumes observed in Business-As-Usual scenario. Replanting with a diverse mix of future-suitable species also supports faster forest recovery and has a positive long-term effect on soil carbon stocks.

Since the primary constraint to the management of productive forests in Scotland is the risk of wing damage, the second scenario meant to support the conversion of 28% of Sitka spruce forests located in high-risk wind areas to coniferous continuous cover forest (CCF), creating more complex and diverse forest structures. Despite an overall decline in growing stock and harvested volumes, forest structure began to shift: after 30 years, more medium- to large-sized Sitka spruce trees (20–50 cm in diameter) were present.

This structural diversification is expected to result in higher growing stock volumes and greater structural diversity in Sitka spruce forest stands in wind-prone areas, potentially contributing to improved resilience over the next three decades. 

Growing stock (m3/ha) development per species over diameter classes (cm) from 2025 till 2055 for the three different scenarios.

Today, monocultures of Sitka spruce cover 45% of Scottish forests. But recent shifts in UK forest policies are set to transform this landscape, reducing these vast monocultures to create room for more structurally diverse forests. These changes hold great promise for improving biodiversity, flood mitigation, and the recreational value of these forests. 

These scenarios, brought to life through advanced forest resource modelling, give us the chance to better understand the trajectories and consequences of applied restoration measures. A glimpse into tomorrow’s forests that could significantly change their course. 

*Projections of Scottish forest restoration activities are part of SUPERB project’s deliverable D6.5 on the projected ecosystem data and were carried out by Sara Filipek, Silke Jacobs, Tom Locatelli, Bruce Nicoll, Daniele Ferraretto and Gert-Jan Nabuurs.

After the Storm: Pathways to forest recovery and restoration in Ireland and beyond – now online!

Daria Kononenko on June 24, 2025

Restoration Story by Daria Kononenko

The Forest Restoration Talks returned on June 11 with a timely and pressing question: what happens after a severe windstorm in the forest? With storm Éowyn leaving a clear mark on Irish forests in spring 2025 – uprooted trees, fragmented canopies, and policy gaps laid bare – experts and practitioners came together to exchange knowledge on what recovery and restoration should look like. 

Hosted in collaboration with the Integrate Network, the TRANSFORMIT project, the SUPERB project, and FoRISK – the Pan-European Forest Risk Facility, the webinar focused on how to respond to extreme disturbance events, strengthen forest resilience, and adapt forestry practices and management for the future. 

What happened during Storm Éowyn? 

Storm Éowyn was the strongest storm ever recorded in Ireland, with wind speeds topping 184 km/h. The impact was severe: around 26,000 hectares of forest were damaged. Much of the damage occurred in mature conifer stands growing on wet mineral and peat soils. Sitka spruce was by far the most affected species. Forest structure and management history played a clear role in vulnerability – about half of the damaged area had been thinned at least once, raising questions about how timing and intensity of thinning influence resilience. As discussed in the webinar, factors like mixed species, varied age classes, and selective thinning can strengthen forest resilience, though no forest is entirely immune to disturbance.

What can we learn from other countries’ experience? 

In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), one of Germany’s most forested regions, storms, droughts, and bark beetle outbreaks have left a visible mark. In response, the region developed a comprehensive reforestation strategy focused on resilience. Instead of replanting the same vulnerable species, forests are being rebuilt with a mix of four or more tree species, carefully selected to suit local soil and climate conditions. These “forest development types” also account for different forestry goals – from biodiversity and water retention to recreation and timber production. 

Support for forest owners goes beyond written guidelines – which is particularly important because more than half of NRWs forests is privately owned, with many small-scale owners. On-site advice, workshops, and even online courses help owners make informed decisions. A key digital tool, Waldinfo.NRW (in German), offers site-specific guidance, including climate scenario projections and tree suitability maps. This approach puts long-term forest health first – with a focus on climate stability, provision of diverse ecosystem services, and forest vitality. 

Policy and the power of networks 

One recurring theme was the need for policies that don’t slow down action, but help respond quickly and effectively when disturbances hit. Another important factor highlighted was the role of expert networks and coordinated planning. These networks are essential to ensure that knowledge and lessons learned from past disturbances are not lost between events. Initiatives like the Forest Risk Facility and the Integrate Network are seen as essential platforms to ensure cross-border learning and coordinated action. 

Storms like Éowyn expose weaknesses – but also reveal where we can improve. By rethinking planting strategies, improving management transparency, and giving forest owners the tools to both better prevent and respond, the sector can transform storm recovery into long-term resilience. While extreme events may be inevitable, the way we prepare and react is very much in our hands. 

Missed the webinar? Watch the full recording here. 

Learning from the land and learning from each other

superbadmin on June 2, 2025

Group discussion in the forest

Restoration experiences across Europe: from regional Germany to Europe

Restoration Story by Gesche Schifferdecker

Once upon a time, the forests of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, were dominated by towering spruces. These fast-growing evergreens had been the region’s economic backbone for decades. But with the impacts of climate change, drought, and bark beetle infestations, about 60% of the spruce trees have vanished. Today, forestry experts support nature in writing a new story – one where beech, oak, and hornbeam are stepping into the spotlight.

That was the backdrop for a recent SUPERB workshop and excursion in NRW, where forest owners and managers, researchers, and policy experts from across Europe came together to share insights, challenges, and inspiration around upscaling forest restoration.

Rebuilding the forest: one tree at a time – and with a fence?

So how are forests in NRW bouncing back? About half of the affected areas have been reforested, either through planting or natural regeneration, we learned from our partners who are managing the NRW Demo Area. Private nurseries are the main source of seedlings, and forest owners receive subsidies depending on the type of forest they aim to develop. One of the quiet but persistent challenges of forest restoration is managing wildlife – particularly deer. In many parts of NRW and the rest of Europe, for example in Spain, high deer populations pose a serious threat to young trees, especially broadleaf species like oak and beech. Deer prefer tender shoots and bark for browsing and fraying, often stripping entire stands of newly planted saplings. To combat this, forest owners increasingly rely on fencing – but this is costly, labour-intensive, and not always feasible over large areas. The situation raises a bigger question in Europe: how should game populations be managed in landscapes undergoing ecological restoration? Balancing biodiversity goals with hunting traditions and wildlife protection requires careful dialogue and integrated game management strategies, the workshop participants emphasized. Without it, even the best restoration plans can be undone by hungry herbivores.

Protection of saplings (photo: Gesche Schifferdecker)
Planted oak tree (photo: Gesche Schifferdecker)

The challenge of restoring Natura 2000 areas

Looking at the NRW example, the group discussed that restoring forests within Natura 2000 areas presents a unique set of challenges. These protected zones are governed by strict conservation objectives, often focused on maintaining or restoring specific historic habitat types and species. At the same time, forests are dynamic, and as climate conditions shift, so do ecosystems. What grows well today may not survive tomorrow. This creates tension: how do we preserve a forest in its “official” state when nature itself is changing? Add to that the complexity of different interpretations of Natura 2000 regulations, and it becomes clear why many local implementers struggle. There’s also limited flexibility in adapting conservation plans to reflect new realities like drought, disease, or shifting species ranges – all of which are becoming more common in a warming world, the workshop participants agreed.

Learning from our neighbours

The workshop wasn’t just about NRW. Guests from Sweden, Spain, Serbia/Croatia, and other regions shared their stories, each with their own flavor:

  • Sweden is grappling with low biodiversity due to clear-cutting. So, when a rare bird – the white-backed woodpecker – was spotted, it sparked public interest and increased restoration action. Collaboration with indigenous Sámi communities and local municipalities shows that success often comes from working together.
  • Spain is planting chestnut trees to support both nature and rural communities, with a special focus on avoiding forest fires and supporting wildlife like the brown bear. Their secret for stakeholder engagement? Hosting workshops in the evenings or weekends, making it easier for people to join in.
  • Croatia and Serbia are working across borders to restore floodplain forests, aiming to replace degraded land with healthy oak woodlands. A strong partnership with policymakers and a high proportion of state-owned forests make their large-scale efforts possible.

Common ground and big questions

Throughout the event, a few big themes kept surfacing. Upscaling restoration is usually more complex than most people realise People often need new knowledge, enough plant supplies, and support to manage herbivores like deer. There’s also the human side: tensions around land use, different interpretations of conservation rules, and the challenge of aligning different stakeholders’ values.

However, the workshop demonstrated that there are many initiatives across Europe that show how through collaboration and holistic thinking our forests can thrive. For instance, in the Danube region, a dedicated Forest Restoration Task Force is making waves, bringing together stakeholders from all five countries of the biosphere reserve as a collaborative platform for advancing river, forest, and grassland restoration, nature-based solutions, sustainable agriculture, ecological monitoring, and more. Danish lawmakers have reached an agreement to plant one billion trees and transform 10% of the nation’s farmland into forests and natural habitats over the next two decades. And in Ireland, the Native Woodland Conservation (NWC) Scheme supports the restoration, conservation and enhancement of existing native woodlands.

Wrapping up: roots of a shared vision

As the workshop drew to a close, participants reflected on three key lessons:
Learn from the land. Learn from each other. Communicate and collaborate!

People may hold different views, shaped by local context, culture, and experience. But most – the so-called “silent majority” – are open to forest restoration, especially when they see its long-term value. What matters is bringing everyone to the table, building trust, and showing what’s possible – one tree, one site, and one community at a time.

NRW is setting the stage with a plan to establish 50 demonstration sites across the region. That way, forest owners and citizens won’t have to travel far to see restoration in action – they’ll find it growing just around the corner.

Group picture (photo: Gesche Schifferdecker)