Forestry and Wood Technology

A sustainable forestry and utilisation of natural resources is the basis for a sustainable bioeconomic society. The forest represents a very large share of the ecosystem services, which means that the forest is Sweden's most important asset from a bioeconomic perspective.

Sustainable use means working in line with environmental goals, while at the same time producing climate change adapted products from renewable natural resources. The forest can contribute with construction material, bioenergy, and new products based on natural materials. This requires collective knowledge within biology, ecology, technology, and economy.

Sustainable use also comprises other values found in the forest. Biodiversity, recreation and tourism are other elements that are crucial in order for people to be able to live on the countryside.

A strong environment with broad competence

We have a strong research and education environment based on the competence of the people working with the forest as a source of raw materials. In our environment, biologists, chemists, mechanical engineers, foresters, economists, and architectural engineers work together on many education and research projects. Every year, we teach more than 800 students, from all over Sweden – the majority of these on distance learning courses. For our research and education, we use our laboratory resources, develop the laboratory Forest Edge and our university forests in e.g. Farstorp and Östad.

The region surrounding Linnaeus University is home to a number of large, international companies within the field. But there are also many smaller companies that, with the right continuing professional development, can get improved conditions for innovation and increased competitiveness, something that will strengthen the region as a whole.

The department is part of the initiative The Bridge, a strategic partnership between Linnaeus University, Södra and Ikea. We are responsible for managing Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Green Sustainable Development and are also connected to other research environments at Linnaeus University such as Linnaeus University Centre for Data Intensive Sciences and Applications Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Advanced Materials.

Education

Every year, 800 students study one of our programs in Forestry and Wood Engineering. About half of them are private forest owners and take courses in Sustainable Small-scale Forestry. The other half study a program aimed at a future profession related to the forest and wood industry.