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Environmental information systems
Deep dive into thematic issues published on a regular basis.
Research highlight
21 March 2025
Forests and food: agroforestry and non-wood forest products for a sustainable food system
Forests play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and ensuring food security. Among their many functions, forests help prevent land degradation and erosion, maintain crop yields, and regulate both water quantity and quality, thereby promoting resilient agricultural practices. In agroforestry systems, the integration of trees enhances sustainable production methods. Additionally, forests provide food products that hold significant socioeconomic and cultural value, enriching communities and supporting livelihoods.
Research highlight
23 Jan. 2025
Mapping and protecting primary and old-growth forests: Europe’s imperative conservation task
Majestic and complex, lush and biodiverse: the way we think about primary and old-growth forests reflects their awe-inspiring presence in people’s collective imagination. In the same measure that they are distinctive and unique, these relatively undisturbed forests are also rare and rapidly disappearing in Europe.
Research highlight
4 Sept. 2024
Unlocking the Vast Potential of Remote Sensing to Monitor Forests and Forest Disturbances
Remote sensing technologies like Sentinel and Landsat satellites provide valuable, large-scale data, complementing traditional methods. However, challenges in data integration and disturbance detection persist, making advanced techniques and combining remote with ground-based methods crucial for effective forest monitoring.
Research highlight
22 May. 2024
Sustaining Europe’s forest biodiversity: Preservation, management and restoration
Europe’s forests represent a rich variety of unique natural heritage. This diversity of ecosystems provides homes for countless plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting the welfare of societies and economies.
Research highlight
22 Mar. 2024
Policy options to enhance the contribution of the EU’s forests to climate mitigation: which strategy is best?
What type of forest management is best for the climate? And which strategies are best to fight the climate crisis? The answer to these questions is: it depends. So, what is the way forward to fulfil the EU’s policy targets to support increased carbon sequestration?
