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Climate change – is Nordic forestry prepared?

Datum: 2014.11.21

NordGen Forest is a forum for discussing forest genetics and forest regeneration. Which role can we play in assisting Nordic forestry in adapting to climate change? Photo: Arne Steffenrem/Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute

The long generation time of many tree species makes them vulnerable to fast environmental changes. Decisions made today will have consequences for several decades. Thus, proper planning in face of climate change is crucial for forestry.

It is important to examine which role NordGen Forest may have in assisting Nordic forestry in adapting to climate change and how to anchor decision making in science. In order to target and improve the dissemination work of NordGen Forest, the Working group on genetic resources conducted a survey among major actors in the forestry in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden to both assess the awareness and the need for more information about climate change.

The questionnaire was sent to 153 respondents covering the main institutions in the forestry. The overall response rate was around 30%, but varied among countries. Since the forest sector is organized differently in the four countries, we have not compared the answers across countries, but rather focused on the overall trends in the material.

Awareness of climate change?

The first part of the questionnaire intended to assess the general awareness and attitude towards climate change related questions. The respondents were first given six statements (Figure 1, number 1-6) to be rated from one (totally disagree) to five (fully agree). As shown in Figure 1 the respondents mostly agreed to all statements. Thus, climate change issues are clearly recognised to affect different aspects of forestry.

The last two statements in Figure 1 are related to the implementation of climate change adaptation in strategic documents and guidelines in forest organizations. Compared with the first six statements, the last two generally got a lower score. This shows that although most respondents agree that climate change will affect forestry, it has not influenced strategic documents and guidelines correspondingly. From comments given by respondents it is also clear that measures to mitigate climate change, e.g. forests as a carbon sink, are more frequently highlighted than measures for climate adaptation. The use of exotic tree species is a frequently mentioned method to mitigate the effects of climate change. Interestingly, the use of exotic tree species was given a relatively low average score in the survey. Although a large proportion regard more use of exotic species as necessary, more than 30% of the respondents are hesitant or reject use of such species (see figure 1, number 6).

Figure 1 shows eight statements about climate change. Each statement have been rated by the respondents from 1 (strongly disagree) and 5 (fully agree). The relative amount of responses is given in the histogram from 1 (dark blue) to 5 (light blue). The bar at the bottom (lightest blue) in every chart represents the category unknown/not relevant.

Information needs in the forestry sector

The second part of the questionnaire was devoted to information needs in relation to climate change and what role NordGen Forest may have in this regard. The general message (Figure 2) was that scientific information about effects and adaptation of forestry to climate change is regarded as important, and that there is currently a strong information deficit. The need for scientific information was also clearly expressed in many of the open comments. However, some respondents expressed confusion about the variable scientific results and the lack of overarching views aimed at drawing general conclusions on climate change effects and best practices. Consequently, it was suggested that NordGen Forest could have a more active role in making scientific information more available.

Figure 2 shows six statements about the climate change related information needs. Each statement have been rated by the respondents from 1 (strongly disagree) and 5 (fully agree). The relative amount of responses is given in the bar chart from 1 (dark blue) to 5 (light blue). The lightest color represents the category unknown/not relevant.

Sources of information

Regarding main sources of information about climate change, mass media and research institutions were rated highest. These sources are rather contrasting, and possibly mass media contribute with general information whereas research institutions are used when targeting more specific information on forestry. Also governmental institutions and forestry organizations were frequently used as information channels. Nordic organizations such as NordGen Forest and SNS (Nordic Forest Research) were only used by a minority of the respondents (around 15%).

Given the information needs revealed by this survey, NordGen Forest should emphasise dissemination of scientific information for the decision-makers, as well facilitate communication between researchers, managers and practitioners within the forest sector. Although mass media and research institutions were important current sources of information about climate change, email newsletters, popular scientific journals and conferences where suggested additional sources, all of them requested by more than 50% of the respondents. Internet, scientific journals and meetings were less valued (marked by 25-40%), while text books were only preferred by 4%.

The role of NordGen Forest

In conclusion, the survey has provided important insight about the awareness and information gaps related to climate change in Nordic forestry. Particularly important for NordGen Forest is the clearly expressed need for translation of scientific knowledge and the potential niche that we could fill, by facilitating information exchange between researchers and foresters.

In addition to dissemination work and projects, NordGen Forest organizes currently one conference and two thematic meetings annually. These are the core tasks, and a clear message from the survey is that these activities should be maintained and strengthened. In addition, there is a wish for more information through email newsletters and articles in forestry journals. NordGen Forest has to consider how such information sources can be used more actively. Irrespective of information channels, however, the main emphasis should always be on the quality of the information.
Text: Jørn Henrik Sønstebø, Kjersti Bakkebø Fjellstad and Tor Myking