Building a structured, indicator based knowledge system for sustainable forest policy and management (LIFE INFORM-INdicators for FORest Managment)

The general objective of the project is to establish a knowledge base for national forest policy development and implementation, based on the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) criteria and indicator estimates, including impact assessments on forests related to climate change. The knowledge base will be compatible with EU initiatives and legislation on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) assessment and implementation monitoring. The project will use the MEDMONT impact-evaluation system, previously developed by project team members through past EU projects, as a basis. This system will allow the following: (i) collection, analysis and dissemination of information required to estimate the MCPFE criteria and indicators at national, regional and local level, particularly the information required on forest impacts from climate change, biodiversity and protective functions of forests (soil, water and infrastructure); (ii) integration of SFM assessment and implementation monitoring processes at different spatial scales and levels of aggregation; and (iii) updating of forest management plans by incorporating social participation tools and impact-evaluation tools for SFM assessments and implementation monitoring. The project will produce the following outputs: (i) a forest policy handbook for SFM assessments and implementation monitoring; (ii) policy guidelines for mitigating the impacts of climate change on forests; (iii) a good practice handbook for social participation in SFM; (iv) a pilot SFM plan; and (v) a number of training events, workshops and seminars.