Forestry is a vital part of Finland’s economy and ecosystem, with over 75% of the country covered in forests. As the most forested country in Europe, it is essential for Finland to lead the way in adopting digital solutions to enhance sustainable forestry practices.
Led by VTT (the Technical Research Centre of Finland), the Finnish forestry observatory primarily focuses on monitoring forestry in Finland, while extending its reach to the broader Nordic region. Thanks to automated data collection and analysis, the observatory’s work is set to extend forest coverage across all of . By combining automated approaches with VTT’s knowledge of the forest sector, we can bring broader insights into the application of digital technologies in forestry. VTT brings expertise in using generative AI and large language models to automatically extract and analyse information from company websites, as demonstrated in projects like BIGPROD. VTT is also active in many EU projects related to forestry and digital technologies (e.g., PathFinder, Artisdig, FireMan, ForestFlux, and DataBio) and is a member of the European Forest Institute.
Finland’s forestry sector is unique, not only because of the vast land area covered by forests, but also due to the ownership structure. About 60% of Finnish forests are privately owned, with the average holding being 30 hectares. Furthermore, nearly 80% of the wood used domestically comes from these private forest owners.
The fragmented nature of ownership poses a challenge when it comes to the uptake of digital technologies. The focus of the observatory is primarily on larger forest owners and associations like the Forest Management Associations, which provide essential support to private owners. With the Finnish National Forest Inventory playing a crucial role in monitoring resources, this data feeds into the development of advanced digital services that improve forest management.
The 4Growth Finnish observatory ecosystem is shaped by a diverse group of stakeholders, all contributing to the advancement of smart forestry practices. The observatory collaborates closely with private forest owners and forest operators who manage the day-to-day activities of forestry, forest management associations providing support to smallholders, fndustry representatives who use the resources for production and digital technology providers who bring innovation to forestry operations.
Additionally, environmental agencies, government institutions, and research networks across Europe play a significant role in advancing digital forestry. These stakeholders exchange knowledge, support innovation, and contribute to the wider adoption of digital technologies in the sector.
Collecting accurate ground-truth data is crucial for understanding the current state of digital adoption in forestry. In the observatory, data collection is driven by a combination of survey, interviews, and automated methods. The survey, developed in collaboration with the 4Growth project partners, engages stakeholders across the forestry sector, gathering insights into how digital tools are being used.
To complement survey data, automated technologies will monitor how companies apply digital solutions to enhance their operations. This blend of traditional and digital data collection allows the observatory to extend its reach beyond Finland, offering a more comprehensive picture of forestry digitalisation across Europe.
Finland and VTT are actively engaged in advancing data spaces and the data economy. The progress in developing data spaces for agriculture and forestry will be closely monitored.
By the end of the project lifecycle, the observatory aims to significantly contribute to the 4Growth Visualisation Platform of Digital Agriculture & Forestry Uptake. This platform will provide decision-makers, industry professionals, and policymakers with up-to-date insights into digital forestry activities across Europe.
One of the project’s key goals is to develop innovative, automated methods for monitoring technology uptake. The rapid evolution of technologies, such as generative AI, is expected to further enhance the observatory’s ability to track and understand the digital transformation of forestry.
Ultimately, by the project’s conclusion, the data and visualisations collected will offer valuable insights into the current state of digital adoption, the challenges that remain, and the future possibilities for forestry in Finland and beyond. This information will guide future decision-making, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and inform policies that support the sustainable development of the forestry sector.
Cover image: Pine tree forest in central Finland
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