School of Forest Sciences

Forest information technology covers topics ranging from applied geoinformatics to information technology (IT) -methods applied to forestry. Since geographical information system (GIS) technology is now an important part of the operational work and data management of the forest industry; understanding modern IT technology and the ability to design new GIS tools are also important parts of the work of forestry professionals.

Forest mensuration science includes mensuration, modelling, and inventory methods as well as remote sensing techniques. Forest mensuration and planning concentrates on the interrelated processes ranging from the forest inventory to the decision-making in forest management and use of forest resources. Forest planning analyses alternative forest management options using forest inventory data and models developed by forest research. A central task of planning is to predict the consequences of management alternatives, so that treatments that best fulfil the objectives of forest owners and other stakeholders are applied.

Modern forestry is multi-functional and therefore management objectives may include non-timber benefits such as amenities, biodiversity conservation, and some environmental effects possible through forestry operations. Various optimization methods can be used to schedule the best treatments for forest stands.

The research focus in forest management and ecosystem services is on how the management and utilization of forests and changing climate affect the carbon dynamics, structure of forests and different ecosystem services and various risks to forests. Forest biomass production and carbon sequestration are studied as well as how they are affected by natural disturbances such as storms, snow extremes and drought. 

Forest health research focuses on the impacts of forest disturbances, forest microbiota and animals, and climate change to forest yield, productivity and quality of wood and non-wood products as well as ecosystem services, and on how harmful impacts can be alleviated. Many of the questions addressed in research on forest management, ecology and health are global, and both experimental studies and modelling of forest ecosystems are performed.

In forest ecology, the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems are studied, exploring patterns of forest biodiversity and the interaction between animal, plant, and fungal species. Research on forest ecology covers population and community ecology, the ecological patterns and dynamics of forest ecosystems and issues relating to conservation of forest biodiversity. 

Research in forest soil science focuses on plant-soil interactions under changing climate. We apply field monitoring, experimental work, and modeling on peatlands and mineral soil forest in field and laboratory conditions. Our restoration research focuses on issues related to the restoration of forestry drained peatlands, such as impacts on biodiversity (species and functional) and greenhouse gas exchange.

Forest economics research focuses on economic production and consumption of forest-related services. Forest economics covers also multiple uses of forests and multi-objective forest planning, co-creation in forestry decision-making, and economic and social analyses of the forestry sector. Business management science analyses the competitiveness and intellectual capital of forest-related businesses and organizations. 

Forest policy studies at School of Forest Sciences have a broad focus on decision making and societal governance processes, from a single forest owner to international forest policies. We are interested in societal structures enhancing – and from the other hand inhibiting – the change toward circular bioeconomy. We are studying impacts of past forest policies and potentials of new policy instruments. Topics of our studies include, for example, learning and education in bioeconomy, forest discourses, ecosystem services, and decision support methodologies enhancing pluralistic decision making. 

Both forest economics and forest policy research connect to forest bioeconomy foresight, which considers change of phenomena around forest usage. The research focuses on the evolving operating environment of enterprises, the public sector, and civil society. Of interest are subtle and radical changes of forest bioeconomy as part of systemic societal transformation towards carbon-negative circular bioeconomy. We use horizon scanning, exploring modelling of alternative futures, and scenario-driven futures images. Foresight research gathers stakeholders to create and assess futures paths collaboratively, aiming at insight and improved futures thinking. 

Wood procurement is the most important object of research in forest technology. The forest industry organizes the wood procurement of mills, considering its production process and the factors of the final product for the customer. Its bottlenecks include delivery volumes, productivity, environmental sustainability, costs, labor, seasonality, transportation infrastructure, ERP systems, energy efficiency, and wood purchasing. 

Wood materials science and wood technology focus on timber and its various products. The research area combines wood raw materials, their property variations and products, such as sawn timber and its further processed goods, wood-based panels, papers, paperboards, wood-based textiles, chemicals, and energy. Research on materials and technologies is based on quality variations of raw material sources, wood’s environmental benefits, and its huge versatility in applications. Close collaboration with domestic or international universities, research institutes, and companies is almost a rule in research projects.

Research concerning biomass production entails the sustainable production of lignocellulosic biomass, its efficient transportation and logistics until its final utilization to produce energy. The research lines address, among others, the management of biomass production systems, including its ecological, environmental and economic dimensions, and the development and evolution of bioenergy markets and policy both at national and international level.