Forests are essential for our health and wellbeing, and the health of the planet. They are rich Forest Arrow Online in biodiversity and are hugely important in the fight against climate change. They provide us with clean water, food, medicines and materials, reduce the risk of disasters and stabilise soils.

Forest Information System for Europe

Ensuring that timely and accurate information on the condition and management of EU forests is available. Improving the quality and quantity of EU forests and strengthening their protection, restoration and resilience. Visit the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy to explore data and information on forestry biomass and the state of EU forests. The Forest Information System for Europe (FISE) is the first common database on forest information in Europe. The web portal provides tailor-made information to national, EU and international policymakers, experts working in the forest industry, forest owners and conservationists, as well as scientists and researchers.

Forest monitoring

Forests play a key role in responding to climate change, preserving and restoring biodiversity, safeguarding health, ensuring water resilience and developing the bioeconomy. The EU forest strategy for 2030 is one of the flagship initiatives of the European Green Deal. The strategy sets a vision and concrete actions to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests and strengthen their protection, restoration and resilience. It aims to adapt Europe’s forests to the new conditions, weather extremes and high uncertainty brought about by climate change.

Forests

FISE also draws data and information from the EU’s Earth observation and monitoring programme Copernicus.

Since 2007, when the Forest Focus Regulation expired, there have not been any harmonised EU forest reporting requirements. There is consequently no comparable and consistent information on the status of forests in the EU. It is crucial to have precise, complete and up-to-date information on European forests. Therefore, the Commission proposed a new law on a monitoring framework for resilient European forests. This will provide open access to detailed, accurate and timely information on the status and trends of EU forests.

Forest Information System for Europe

It will strengthen the Forest Information System for Europe as common database on forest information in Europe. Yet, current forest management practices are not always in line with the need to ensure high biodiversity in woodland ecosystems. With an ever-increasing demand for timber, forests and their ecosystems continue to suffer from air and water pollution, habitat and biodiversity loss and encroaching urban areas. How the EU ensures that timely and accurate information on the condition and management of EU forests is available.