Indicators for Integrative Forest Management

To support Integrative Forest Management (IFM) across Europe, the TRANSFORMIT project has developed a set of 17 key indicators that make it possible to measure progress, monitor outcomes, and report results consistently from local to European policy levels. Designed as practical tools, these indicators capture forest biodiversity, resilience, ecosystem services, and climate adaptation, while aligning with major policy frameworks such as the EU Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and the New EU Forest Strategy 2030. Each indicator is accompanied by a detailed factsheet outlining its rationale, measurement methods, data sources, and potential trade-offs, ensuring it can be applied in real-world forest management.

The indicator system emerged through a collaborative, multi-stage process. An initial pool of around 80 candidate indicators was drawn from international frameworks, previous research projects, and certification schemes. Through iterative workshops with seven Living Labs across Europe, forest managers, policymakers, researchers, conservationists, and community representatives jointly assessed feasibility, relevance, and regional applicability. This co-creative journey gradually refined the long list into a focused and usable set of 17 indicators grounded in both science and practice.

Together, these indicators form the backbone of IFM, translating a holistic vision of forest management into measurable action. They help connect policy ambitions with on-the-ground decisions, supporting resilient, diverse forests in a rapidly changing world.