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COeu-logo-jpgST is supported
by the EU Framework
Programme Horizon 2020


    Eva-Mayr-Stihl-Stiftung Logo

 
 

     COST
     (European Cooperation
     in Science and Technology)
     is a pan-European inter-
     governmental framework.

     Its mission is to enable
     break-through scientific and
     technological developments
     leading to new concepts and
     products and thereby contribute
     to strengthening Europe’s
     research and innovation
     capacities. www.cost.eu.

     COST rules and guidelines can
     be found here:
     www.cost.eu/participate

 

 

WG Work Plans

The WGs have the following tasks according to the MoU:

WG 1 Definitions and Typology

1. Collecting, comparing and synthesizing the various expressions and definitions which are related to CFM. This will be then developed further to a glossary and will be continuously improved and enlarged during the life time of the project.

2. Collecting, cross checking and compiling statistical and other data on coppice forests available in the participating countries and regions. This will be a “living document” being continuously improved during the live time of the project. A final fact sheet about European Coppice Forests will be ready at year 3.

3. Setting up a list of coppice scientists and experts, this will be posted in year 1 at the first time and then continuously updated until the end of the project.

4. Posting and communicating the first draft of the glossary on the website.

5. Publishing the final version of the glossary which will include all additional knowledge gained during the projects life time.

6. Contributing to develop a typology of European Coppice Forests in close cooperation with WG 2, which has the lead in this task.

WG 2 Ecology and silvicultural management

1. Guiding and extensive literature review about ecological and silvicultural aspects of CFM

2. Enquiry with coppice forests resource persons, experts and specialists (in cooperation with WG 1) to collect knowledge which may have not yet been published.

3. Critical review of the collected material from step one and two and identifying contradictive findings and research gaps.

4. Organization of an international conference dealing with ecological and silvicultural issues of CFM.

5. Develop a European coppice forest typology[1] in cooperation with WG 1 and WG 3.

6. Producing report with best practice guidelines.
 

WG 3 Utilization and products

1. Compiling typical traditional coppice forest products, assessing their present markets and potential for the future.[2]

2. Developing ideas and concepts for possible “new” products in the frame work of a bio-economy, green economy.

3. Developing concepts to assess the sustainable growth in yield potential using advanced remote sensing technologies for inventory.[3]

4. Compile and evaluate critically existing harvesting methods.

5. Setup productivity–and cost figures as benchmarks.

6. Identifying knowledge gaps and formulates research strategies to overcome these knowledge gaps.

7. Organization of an international conference utilization and products

8. Develop a coppice forest utilization handbook, which gives advice for practitioners about how to use coppice forests in a technically viable, environmentally friendly and economically efficient supply chains.

 

WG 4 Services, protection, nature conservation[4]

1. Carry out a literature review on the mechanics of tree stability and rooting on steep terrain, with special reference to coppicing practices.

2. Collect information on the legislative framework for safe practices in relation to protection forests (protecting infrastructures such as roads, railways and buildings), particularly in relation to maintained or abandoned coppices.  Compare this framework with the technical issues arising in deliverable 1, and make recommendations for best practice.

3. Compiling and evaluating critically existing literature and knowledge about the specific services of coppice forests to nature conservation (e. g. biodiversity, endangered species).

4. Compile and evaluate legal documents about specific rules and legislation related to coppice forests and conservation and biodiversity issues.

5. Organize an international conference on services, protection and nature conservation and CFM.

 

WG 5 Coppice forests ownership and governance[5]

1. Identify governance issues related to CFM, particularly with respect to ownership and access.

2. Analyse barriers to the development of the traditional coppice business sector, particularly with respect to the current legislative context, and explore governance-related solutions to these barriers.

3. Explore lessons to be learnt from traditional, community-based/cooperative (or similar) CFM governance models for present-day fragmented, small-scale forest ownership patterns.

4. Organize a conference on coppice forests ownership and governance –what can we learn for small scale forestry?



[1] There was a mistake in the MoU and this read “technology” instead of “typology”

[2] The wording of this was changed slightly (see WG 3 Bucharest Minutes) from the original: „Compiling typical traditional coppice forest products, assessing their actual market share and market tensional for the future.”

[3] Removed at the Chatham Conference

[4] 1 & 2 were reformulated (MC vote in Bucharest)

[5] 1, 2 & 3 were reformulated (MC vote in Bucharest)

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