Participatory agreed set of key indicators for monitoring and reporting IFM

Integrative Forest Management (IFM) aims to integrate biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation into forest management to ensure the sustainable provision of multiple ecosystem services. It is guided by natural and diverse forest structures, compositions and dynamics, supporting ecosystem functioning, ecological integrity and resilience. IFM considers forest management at tree, stand and landscape scales and encompasses a range of silvicultural intensities, including areas intentionally left unmanaged. It can be applied across different forest types and ecological contexts to achieve integrated environmental, economic and social outcomes.

To assess progress towards IFM, a set of 17 key indicators has been developed through a participatory process involving stakeholder engagement and iterative consultation. The indicators were selected from a broader pool of approximately 80 potentially relevant indicators identified from international frameworks, research initiatives, forest management guidelines and certification schemes. The selection process considered their relevance to IFM principles, sensitivity to changes in forest management, feasibility of measurement, applicability across different geographical contexts and alignment with international and European policy objectives.

The resulting indicators provide a comprehensive framework for monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of IFM. They address key dimensions of sustainable forest management, including the provision of forest ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, forest resilience and climate change adaptation. Each indicator is supported by a detailed description covering its rationale, characteristics, potential trade-offs, regional differences, measurement approaches, data sources and relevant targets or thresholds. Where appropriate, measurement units and methods are considered at local, national and European levels.

The indicator framework is designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing its application across different forest types, management systems and spatial scales. It recognises that forest ecosystems differ in their ecological characteristics, socio-economic conditions, management objectives and institutional contexts. Consequently, indicator selection, measurement and interpretation may need to be adapted to local and regional circumstances while maintaining a common basis for assessing progress towards IFM.

A key feature of the framework is its participatory and stakeholder-driven development. The involvement of forest managers, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders helps ensure that the indicators reflect practical management needs, regional priorities and available data. This approach also supports local ownership, knowledge exchange and the practical implementation of monitoring activities.

The indicators are intended to support evidence-based forest management, monitoring, reporting and decision-making. By linking measurable variables to broader environmental and policy objectives, they provide a basis for assessing management progress, identifying potential gaps and evaluating trade-offs between different ecosystem services and management priorities. They can also support the development and application of decision-support tools, forest modelling approaches and digital technologies, including interactive digital representations of forest ecosystems.

Overall, the IFM indicator framework provides a holistic and adaptable approach to evaluating progress towards more diverse, resilient and multifunctional forests. By combining ecological, environmental, economic and social dimensions, it supports the integration of biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation into forest management while contributing to wider European and international objectives for sustainable forest management, biodiversity protection and climate resilience.