Forestry in the Mediterranean region is undergoing a transformative shift, with digital technology playing an increasingly vital role in it. The adoption of innovative tools and data-driven practices promises enhanced sustainability and climate resilience, but this transition comes with its own set of challenges. The Forest Management and Remote Sensing Lab of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH/FMRS) observatory serves as a critical hub for understanding and facilitating the integration of these technologies across Mediterranean forestry ecosystems.
AUTH/FMRS leads the observatory, encompassing Greece and extending its expertise to other Mediterranean countries such as Cyprus, Bulgaria, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, with potential expansions to France and Croatia, leveraging its extensive experience and proven track record in forest management, monitoring, and remote sensing (RS) technologies. The lab’s mission is rooted in advancing sustainable forestry practices, showcased through its participation in national and international ecosystem projects and collaborations with European Space Agency (ESA), as well as projects managed under the Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe funding scheme. This strong foundation supports the development of innovative tools for forest monitoring and climate resilience across Mediterranean ecosystems. By employing advanced geospatial analysis and active/passive data from air and space-borne platforms, AUTH/FMRS cements its leadership in precision forestry, making substantial contributions to sustainable forest management.
The uptake of digital technologies in forestry across the Mediterranean region presents unique challenges, highlighted by the situation in Greece. Chronic understaffing and an aging workforce hinder the widespread adoption of digital tools and technologies. These issues limit the sector’s capacity for innovation and modernisation. To address this, the 4Growth stakeholder survey aims to collect and analyse data from Greece and other Mediterranean countries, providing valuable insights into digital adoption trends and obstacles.
While publicly available statistics on digital technology use in forestry remain limited, AUTH/FMRS plans to augment its findings through collaboration with local forestry agencies, industry reports, and academic research. Platforms such as ROSEWOOD and studies on forest innovation will provide supplementary data, helping to paint a more comprehensive picture of digital integration in the sector.
The AUTH/FMRS observatory collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders, including forest associations representing landowners and forestry professionals, policymakers establishing regulations and frameworks for sustainable forest management, research institutes driving innovation, and the forestry industry. These stakeholders are essential for modernising forest management practices through innovation and policy support. Digital technology providers also play a crucial role by delivering remote sensing products, precision tools, and data-driven platforms that enhance decision-making.
The collected data enable an accurate analysis of digital technology adoption and its impact, incorporating AI-based tools, satellite imagery, and drones to assess forest management improvements. This collaborative approach ensures that data collection encompasses various perspectives and supports informed decisions for sustainable forestry practices across the Mediterranean region.
To collect reliable ground-truth data, AUTH/FMRS employs a multi-faceted approach involving surveys, interviews, and collaborations with local forestry cooperatives and research institutions. This method captures the current state and perceptions of digital tool usage within forestry operations. Interviews with professionals and experts enrich survey data, providing nuanced insights into the challenges, opportunities and practical applications of digital technology in forestry.
Collaborating with forestry cooperatives and research institutes grants access to specialised datasets and expertise, supporting a thorough analysis of technology integration levels. This strategy ensures that the findings represent the broader industry accurately, offering a holistic view of digital adoption and guiding future advancements.
By the end of the project, the AUTH/FMRS observatory aims to deliver a comprehensive understanding of digital technology adoption in Mediterranean forestry. The analysis of diverse data sets will reveal current trends and potential areas for development. Identifying factors that influence successful technology investments, such as costs, regulatory challenges, technological uncertainties and market conditions, will provide stakeholders with the insights needed for informed decision-making.
Ultimately, the project seeks to support stakeholders by highlighting the risks and opportunities associated with digital innovation, aiming to navigate future investment decisions and ensure the successful integration of digital technologies across our observatory.
Cover image: University Forest in Pertouli, managed by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, credit: AUTH/FMRS
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