The dynamic developments in politics, the timber industry, climate and research were the reason for convening the global model network Forest Model Inter-Comparison (ForMIP). The network was founded in 2017 at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria. Its aim is to systematically analyze, compare and further develop models for the forestry sector. Improved data and reliable forecasts provide a scientific basis to enable well-founded political decisions.
The IIASA Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) and the Global Timber Model (GTM), among others, were presented during the workshop in Hamburg-Bergedorf, which was followed online by researchers from all over the world. GLOBIOM maps the land use competition between agriculture, forestry and bioenergy. GTM integrates economic decisions of forest owners with global market conditions and political interventions. The timber market modeling team at the Thünen Institute of Forestry also presented its new model TiMBA (Timber Market Model for policy-based Analysis). Other new forest sector models come from the USA (FOROM) and Norway (FORMEQ).
The various computer models help scientists to identify the interactions between different influencing factors such as climate change and measures, forest protection and wood use as well as an growing wood-based bioeconomy and thus, to better understand the resulting complex changes in forests. In order to assess the reliability of the projections, the global models of various institutions and countries are compared with each other. From the researchers' point of view, it is essential to jointly investigate how forests are used and how markets are changing.
During the workshop, the researchers therefore agreed to collaborate on joint publications, tap into external funding opportunities, and organize regular network meetings.
