MISTRA DIGITAL FOREST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 1
MISTRADIGITALFOREST SVERKER DANIELSSON Digital so
lutions create great opportunities for the forestry value chain When the second year of Mistra Digital Forest began in 2020, no one could have imagined what major changes we would be facing. Just as was the case in society in general, new ways of working were quickly adopted to ensure that research momentum was maintained, and at the same time avoiding the spread of infection. Lead-time for a new vaccine is typically said to be 15 years. The fact that the research community, in collaboration with the pharmaceutical companies, developed several high-performance vaccines in less than a year makes us wonder about the major progress that is possible, when we are decisive and determined. What revolutionary changes do we want to see in Swedish forestry? Mistra's research programme will contribute to addressing major societal challenges, and to creating the conditions for a good living environment. We do this at Mistra Digital Forest, by developing digital technology for increased efficiency and sustainability in Swedish forestry. The programme helps to increase the availability of high-resolution information about the forest, and develops tools for managing and evaluating that information. With the help of digital tools and high-quality data, there are good opportunities to increase knowledge and understanding of the complex issues that characterise sustainable development. We are in a good position in Sweden to lead the digitalisation work in forestry, and Mistra Digital Forest is to be a platform for that development. It is interesting, and gratifying, that funding was granted for similar programmes in both Finland and Norway in 2020. We need more, talented researchers driving development, and it will be exciting to see what groundbreaking changes we can create together in the years ahead. Sverker Danielsson Programme Director, Mistra Digital Forest 2 P h o t o : J o h a n O l s s o n