On 18-19 January the SLU Forest Damage Centre organised its annual meeting in Eskilstuna inviting scientist, representatives from forestry sector and authorities. Throughout the conference collaboration was highlighted as an important aspect for all parties, with a common goal - to prevent and monitor forest damage.
Close to 75 participants from authorities, forestry sector, SLU and other stakeholders gathered at SLU Forest Damage Centre’s annual meeting where collaboration was a hot topic. After a warm welcome to all participants Jonas Rönnberg, director of the centre, talked about the organisations goals for the upcoming year.
‒ Collaboration is vital to how we utilise the centre’s capacity in the best way. We can all do better. The annual meeting is a step on that path, says Jonas Rönnberg, director of the SLU Forest Damage Centre.
The participants then took part of current topics within the forest damage area. Leading off was Lennart Svensson, National Forest Damage Coordinator at the Swedish Forestry Agency, who provided an overview of the latest forest damage report. He also highlighted areas in need of knowledge development, including damage in relation to climate change and the impact of drought on forests. Chandra Krishnamurthy, an analyst at the SLU Forest Damage Centre, discussed the analytics report that the centre is working to produce. The aim of the report is to identify knowledge gaps, assess the extent of economic consequences, and understand damage causes from an applied perspective.
The conference's first day then proceeded with a total of ten presentations on current research within the field. One of those who presented was Michelle Clary, researcher at the SLU Forest Damage Centre, who talked about the research project "Rädda asken" (Save the Ash), which is a collaborative project between SLU and Skogforsk. They are trying to determine if there is a possibility to save the highly endangered ash tree, which they hope is possible through breeding.
Iryna Matsiakh, researcher and analyst at the SLU Forest Damage Centre, talked about damages to birch and pine trees. In collaboration with the Swedish Forestry Agency and Södra Skogsägarna, they have initiated a research project to determine the causes of these damages. Anne-Maarit Hekkala, researcher at the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, talked about an upcoming project in the area of clear-cut forestry and how it is connected with spruce bark beetles, ungulates, and biodiversity. Professor emeritus Jan Stenlid, from the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, discussed the collaborative project on multi-damaged forests. Additionally, five more researchers presented current research within forest damage.
During the conference's second day, participants discussed what is required for new knowledge to be put into practice. They delved into the challenges of transferring between research and application, improving efficiency, and what each organisation can do to bridge and facilitate the sometimes perceived gap between research and application. Communication, understanding, and collaboration were highlighted as key themes in the discussions.
‒ I think these types of meetings and what one can take away from them are very positive. I have several specific things that I will bring back to my own organisation, says Olov Norgren at Holmen Skog AB
‒ It has been positive days. It is clear that there is an interest in the fact that we must collaborate in this. It is very reassuring to hear, I think, that everyone is aware that we need each other and each other's knowledge when forest damage occurs, says Eva Stattin at Stora Enso Skog.
Eva explains that someone expressed it as though we are all in the same boat. She herself sees it more as though we are on the same ocean, and that the waves, in this case forest damages, moving across the ocean affect us all. She believes that it is then a matter of navigating somewhat together.
The annual conference is part of the SLU Forest Damage Centre's efforts to collaborate with the forestry sector, authorities, and other stakeholders, providing excellent opportunities for meetings and discussions on forest damage issues.
The SLU Forest Damage Centre thanks everyone for their participation in the conference.
Text and photo: Theres Svensson, SLU
The Director of SLU Forest Damage centre, Jonas Rönnberg, presenting the work of the organisation. Photo: Theres Svensson.
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Michelle Cleary, researcher at SLU Forest Damage Centre presents the project "Rädda Asken" (Save the Ash).
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Iryna Matsiakh, researcher and analyst at SLU Forest Damage Centre presenting damage on birch and pine.
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Mingle and conversations around posters.
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Mingle and conversations around posters.
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Professor emeritus Jan Stenlid, from the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, discussed the collaborative project on multi-damaged forests
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Olov Norgren from Holmen Skog AB talked about challenges with root rot.
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Group discussion on the conference second day.
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Group discussion at the conference second day.
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The conferens had a total of 71 participants, of wich 37 came from SLU, 10 came from Swedish Forest Agency, 4 came fom Skogforsk and 4 from other authorities. The rest of the participants came from forstry sector and other stakeholders. Malin von Essen was the moderator at the conferens.
Director: Jonas Rönnberg
jonas.ronnberg@slu.se; +46 40 41 51 79 eller +46 706 72 76 43
Deputy director: Wiebke Neumann Sivertsson
wiebke.neumann@slu.se; +46 90 78 68 117 eller +46 706 34 90 51
Deputy director and responsible for the research school: Åke Olson
ake.olson@slu.se; +46 18 67 18 76
Communications officer: Theres Svensson
+46 90 78 68 228, +46 765 46 05 96
Administrative coordinator: Katja Fedrowitz
katja.fedrowitz@slu.se; +46 18 67 21 96