Sustainable Management of Small Forest Properties for Resilient Forests in Europe (SMURF)
Europe's forests, crucial for their ecological and economic value, face mounting threats. Climate change fuels extreme weather events and biological invasions, while human activities like pollution and urban sprawl encroach on their boundaries.
This pressure is particularly acute for small forest properties, with over 16 million fragmented parcels across the continent. This fragmentation leads to a lack of proper management, impeding vital forest functions like carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Furthermore, small owners often lack the resources and knowledge to implement sustainable practices, hindering their economic potential and contributing to further landscape degradation.
The SMURF project aims to empower a multitude of beneficiaries. At its core are small forest owners, over 16 million individuals who will gain access to new tools, knowledge, and support structures to manage their land sustainably. This translates to healthier forests with enhanced ecological services, benefiting local communities who rely on them for clean water, air, and recreation.
The forestry sector as a whole, stands to gain from a more robust and resilient forest resource, leading to increased economic opportunities and the production of sustainable wood and non-wood products.
Ultimately, consumers benefit from knowing that the products they use come from well-managed forests, promoting responsible consumption and a healthier planet.
SMURF tackles these challenges with a three-pronged approach. Firstly, it aims to develop new organisational and business models tailored to small forest properties. These models will embrace Closer to Nature Sylviculture (CNS) practices, promoting sustainable management and unlocking new income streams through carbon sequestration and the valorisation of wood and non-wood products.
Secondly, the project focuses on capacity building and support structures. By providing training, digital tools, and other resources, SMURF empowers small owners to implement these new models effectively.
Finally, the project seeks to influence policy through the development of a framework for standardise regional, national, and European Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) systems. These systems incentivise sustainable forest management, ensuring long-term resilience and ecological health. Preferred by Nature is leading efforts on this part of the project.
Project Details:
Title
SMURF- Sustainable management models and value chains for small forests in small forest properties
María Sosa Llopis
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