Resilient Ecosystems of Sweden: Promoting Sustainability through Continuous Cover Forestry and Wetland Rewetting

In recent decades, our planet has witnessed an increase in extreme weather events, including heat and cold waves, heavy precipitation, drought or storm events, with profound impacts on the environment and human societies.

As these extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, understanding the resilience of ecosystems to withstand and recover from them becomes crucial for effective disaster management and sustainable development.

In this project we will use a novel remote sensing-based framework for mapping the resilience of ecosystem productivity to extreme weather events 1987-2023.

Given the ecological, economic, and social significance of forests and wetlands in Sweden, their conservation, sustainable management, and protection are priorities for the country.

The maps of ecosystem resilience will therefore be used for studying impact of forest management strategies and wetland restoration projects, on resilience of Swedish ecosystems.

We will collaborate closely with societal partners in the planning of the project and in the dissemination of the project results to stakeholders.

Findings will contribute to developing strategies for improved management of ecosystem services, and sustainable livelihoods, as well as create a better understanding of the functioning of Swedish ecosystems under human pressure, climate change, and conservation activities.