Abstract:
Integrative Forest Management (IFM) seeks to embed biodiversity conservation and adaptation to global change within forest management practices, ensuring the sustainable provision of multiple ecosystem services. In the context of accelerating economic development in China and Europe, IFM is increasingly recognized as a critical foundation for achieving green and resilient growth. However, significant gaps remain in the theoretical frameworks, evaluation standards, and practical applications of IFM, and effective multi-stakeholder participation mechanisms are still lacking. There is an urgent need for strengthened collaboration between China and Europe to jointly develop an IFM system tailored to the demands of sustainable economic development. This project will address key scientific and technical challenges associated with IFM, including: identifying natural and anthropogenic drivers and their interaction mechanisms; analyzing trade-offs and synergies between multiple ecosystem services and biodiversity; developing management technologies that enhance ecosystem multifunctionality; creating a China-Europe collaborative platform and decision-support tools for integrated forest ecosystem management; and advancing economic accounting methods for ecosystem services and biodiversity. The project aims to advance the theoretical foundations and comprehensive evaluation methods of IFM, providing a robust scientific basis for forest conservation, management, and sustainable utilization. It will also strengthen mechanisms for multi-stakeholder engagement, foster interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, and enhance the translation of scientific findings into policy. By establishing a China-Europe research network and demonstration models for integrated forest management, the project will offer valuable insights and practical solutions to support forest management across diverse bio-geographic regions in China, contributing to global efforts toward sustainable forest landscapes.