RiForMa

Project Objective:

The project aims to develop an ecosystem service evaluation tool integrated into the LVM GEO forest management platform, providing riparian forest owners with a user-friendly tool to:

• Model future scenarios for their properties.
• Explore different forest management alternatives.
• Enhance decision-making based on ecosystem service evaluations.

The tool will be valuable for all riparian landowners in Latvia and Estonia, with an expected adoption by 20,000 of the 300,000 forest owners in both countries.

Key Activities:

• Preparatory work for ecosystem service evaluation, including:
  • Development of indicators and quantification methods.
  • Data collection on the current state of riparian forests.
• Development of the modeling tool, including:
  • Testing different forest management scenarios.
  • Integration into the LVM GEO system for practical application.
• Implementation of forest management activities in demonstration areas to assess their impact on ecosystem services.
• Dissemination of results to various stakeholders, including:
  • Forest owners, ministries, and the general public.
  • Seminars and workshops in Estonia and Latvia on IT solutions for forest management.
  • Exchange visits between Estonian and Latvian forest owners to explore demonstration areas and discuss new technologies.

Expected Results (Project Outputs):

• A fully integrated ecosystem service evaluation tool in the LVM GEO platform.
• Improved forest management decision-making based on ecosystem service modeling.
• Increased adoption of sustainable practices by riparian forest owners.
• Stronger cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among forest owners.
• Practical and theoretical dissemination of results, benefiting policymakers, landowners, and the broader forestry sector.

Links to partners’ websites: 

• http://www.silava.lv
• https://www.emu.ee/
• www.lvm.lv
• https://mezaipasnieki.lv
• https://www.loodushoiufond.ee/