A new study published in the open-access journal Trees, Forests and People examines the diverse range of stakeholders involved in managing Europe’s forest genetic resources (FGR) and forest reproductive material (FRM).
The research, conducted by the OptFORESTS team, uses a participatory and systems-thinking approach to identify over 50 types of actors, including researchers, forest managers, policymakers, NGOs, and nursery owners. It explores how these groups interact and influence forest governance.
The paper outlines areas of both alignment and divergence among communities focused on conservation, seed and seedling production, and protected forests. It also discusses how improved collaboration and inclusive governance could support forest resilience in response to climate change and biodiversity loss.