Forest EcoValue

Project focus and objectives

The Forest EcoValue project moves from some matters of fact:

• Ecosystem Services are the direct and indirect benefits that people receive from the ecosystem. With this respect, forests play a key role for climate change mitigation and resilience in the Alpine region, by offering multiple ecosystem services and environmental social benefits, such as Carbon sequestration, air pollution reduction, increase of biodiversity, resilience to natural risks and many others.

• Forests of the Alpine space are threatened by abandonment, climate change and territorial degradation that progressively lead to a pauperization of natural resources and to a decrease in the provision of forest ecosystem services.

• Forest maintenance costs are high and often cannot generate a sufficient economic income for the public and private owners: public funds and the revenues from the traditional wood value chains are no longer sufficient and the attraction of additional resources becomes an evident need.

Some compelling examples of economic valuation methods and payment schemes already exist, such as for carbon credits, but it is necessary to explore new business models and define the economic conditions in relation to the multiple ecosystem services of forests.

The three-year Forest EcoValue project intends to tackle this challenge and turn it into an opportunity, by developing innovative sustainable win-win business models for forest management and maintenance, based on green value chains, and involving different sectors (energy, construction, chemistry/pharma, food, recreation etc.), public and private actors, as well as citizens.

The project will propose new frameworks for public-private markets and payment schemes, maximizing the value of forest ecosystem services towards the regional value chains. The project is based on the evidence that the restoration and maintenance of healthy forests can generate value for the benefit of the entire Alpine region, as well as foster the development of green businesses and sustainable job opportunities in the alpine communities.

Austrian Living Lab

In the Austrian Living Lab, together with partners from WoodCluster Styria, we are testing a reverse auction approach to support forest owners who are ready to transition to more sustainable forest management. In the current reverse auction round, we are focusing on these two ecosystem services:

• Biodiversity and habitat conservation: This ecosystem service is of crucial importance for the Living Lab in Styria, especially in view of the loss of biodiversity – one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. The health and resilience of our forests are closely linked to their biodiversity. With climate change bringing more extreme weather events and increased pest infestations, ensuring the resilience of our forests is becoming a crucial factor, not only for the wood processing industry, but also for local communities. Furthermore, with the recent passing of the EU Nature Restoration Act, there is a growing awareness and demand from the public to conserve biodiversity, further increasing the importance of habitat conservation initiatives in the region.
   
• Carbon stability and sequestration: Improving the provision of this ecosystem service is of great importance in the context of climate change. The importance of carbon sequestration and storage cannot be overstated, especially considering the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. Unfortunately, common forest management practices such as clear-cutting and monocultures disrupt the delicate carbon balance of forests. By prioritizing carbon stability, the region is helping to mitigate climate change while promoting sustainable management practices for ecosystems.

In order to improve these ecosystem services, Styrian forest owners can apply for the reverse auction with two measures: the preservation of deadwood and the introduction of continuous management. The most ecologically effective, socially equitable, and financially efficient applications will be funded according to the amount requested by each applicant. More information on participation conditions and the application form can be found here.

For the most recent updates, please follow the website of our partners, WoodCluster Styria.

Forest EcoValue and the macro-regional strategy for the Alpine Area

The Forest EcoValue project supports the Macroregional Strategy for the Alpine area EUSALP and aims to collaborate with its Action Groups on key domains related to sustainable forest management and ecosystem services valuation. Also, the Forest EcoValue project supports the objectives of the Alpine Convention, particularly on mountain forestry, climate change adaptation and biodiversity protection.