A woman talks in front of people in the forest

Project: Future Forest Management in Southern Sweden (FRAS II)

FRAS II is a research programme aimed at further developing forest management in southern Sweden and adapting it to current and future needs and conditions. The programme is a collaboration between Linnaeus University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and Skogforsk, and is conducted in close cooperation with the regional forest industry.

Project information

Project leaders
Erika Olofsson (Linnaeus University), Henrik Böhlenius (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), Karin Hjelm (Skogforsk)
Other project members
Johan Fransson, Anna Jensen, Annette Eilert, Basam Dahy, Åsa Blom
Participating organisations
Linnaeus University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and Skogforsk
Funders
Linnaeus University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogforsk, Södra Research Foundation, The Swedish Forest Society Foundation, Sveaskog Förvaltnings AB, Seydlitz MP Bolagen Foundation, Holmen Skog AB, Vida AB, Clerical Estates in Växjö Diocese, Häradsmarken AB, Clerical Estates in Linköping Diocese, Clerical Estates in Skara Diocese, Clerical Estates in Gothenburg Diocese, Western Sweden Forest Management Association, Clerical Estates in Lund Diocese
Project duration
2023–2026
Subject area
Forestry and Wood Technology (Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Faculty of Technology)
Research groups
Forest Management
Forest Ecology and Ecophysiology
Knowledge Environment: Linnaeus
Green Sustainable Development

More about the project

Future Forest Management in Southern Sweden (FRAS II) is a collaborative research programme involving Linnaeus University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and Skogforsk.

The aim of FRAS II is to contribute to the ongoing development of forest management in southern Sweden and to adapt it to meet current and future needs and conditions. The programme is conducted in close collaboration with the regional forest industry. Dialogue is also maintained with other stakeholders affected by forestry to capture the full range of forest values.

The programme includes three PhD projects and three postdoctoral projects. Thematically, these focus on:

  • Establishment and management of heterogeneous forests
  • Forest management under a changing climate
  • Forest management and planning for timber production and other ecosystem services.

External links

About the participating organisations

Linnaeus University
At the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, research and education cover the forest industry’s entire value chain – from forest to finished product. Topics include forest production, silviculture, the effects of forest management on wood quality, forest-based energy, wood processing and utilisation, and the effects of – and contributions to – climate change. Research is carried out in close collaboration with the forest industry. The department educates around 700 students annually and has extensive experience in distance learning.

Contact: Erika Olofsson

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
At the Department of Southern Swedish Forest Research, forestry research spans a broad spectrum – from silviculture and production, forest ecology and forest history to policy and forest pathogens. Interdisciplinary collaboration between these areas allows for integrated studies on topics such as mixed forests, continuous cover forestry, and the effects of climate change. The department has a long tradition of field research and close collaboration with SLU’s research stations at Asa and Tönnersjöheden. Education is offered at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Contact: Henrik Böhlenius

Skogforsk
At Skogforsk’s research station in Ekebo, Svalöv, the organisation leads southern Sweden’s tree breeding efforts for both coniferous and deciduous species. In recent years, silvicultural research has also become a growing focus area, particularly regarding forest regeneration and the management of broadleaved trees. Skogforsk maintains close cooperation with the forest sector and has a well-developed communication strategy to ensure effective dissemination of research results.

Contact: Karin Hjelm

Project members