Access to legacy data
Research Forests provide a very special research environment and have the potential to generate the long-term datasets that are crucial for ecological studies that record changes over time.
New data are gathered in a well-characterised environmental framework and can be readily compared against long term trend data, allowing unexpected links and patterns to be more easily recognised.
Using existing data, such as those from long-term monitoring plots, can strengthen research proposals, e.g., to funding bodies, and can broaden research projects beyond their original scope.
Collaboration between forest managers and scientists
Within the research forest environment, the promotion of close collaboration between forestry practitioners and scientists enables findings to be more easily tested and fast-tracked into operational use
Showcase studies
Studies can be showcased to a wide audience, including students of all ages, the public, forestry practitioners and policymakers, highlighting the importance of forestry science through outdoor workshops and explanatory material.
Internationally, research forests have been pivotal in increasing understanding of the interactions between forests and the wider environment, including demonstrating the possible effects of climate change. Their findings have helped shape international policies on pollution and sustainable forest management.