TRANSFORMIT’s new working definition of Integrative Forest Management
Forests are multifunctional. Yet, managing these diverse functions simultaneously is never an easy task. Forest managers often struggle with balancing conservation efforts with economic demands, adapting to climate change while maintaining ecosystem services, and safeguarding biodiversity amid human activities.
Integrative Forest Management (IFM) comes as a solution to navigate these complexities, and this is also the core of our TRANSFORMIT project. IFM is designed to harmonize biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation within forest management. But what does this mean in practice?
To clarify our approach, we have established a working definition of IFM, developed as the first step in our engagement with stakeholders and partners:
Integrative forest management (IFM) aims at integrating biodiversity conservation and global change adaptation into forest management for the sustainable provision of multiple ecosystem services. It is guided by natural and diverse forest structures, compositions, and dynamics to support ecosystem functioning and resilience. Its management practices consistently consider the tree, stand, and landscape scale and employ different silvicultural intensities, including intentionally unmanaged forests. IFM can be applied in any type of forest to achieve integrated environmental, economic, and social outcomes.
IFM is a crucial tool for navigating the complexities of modern forest management and preserving forest ecosystems in a changing world. We understand IFM as not just a theoretical concept but a practical approach that brings together diverse stakeholders—including local communities, researchers, practitioners, policy makers, investors and conservation organizations—to develop tailored management plans that respect the multifaceted values of forests. By using this working definition as a foundation, our TRANSFORMIT project aims to promote sustainable forest management that balances environmental, economic, and social outcomes across various forest types and contexts.