An Introduction to Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions

AbstractThe goal to limit the increase in global temperature below 2 °C requires reaching a balance between anthropogenic emissions and reductions (sinks) in the second half of this century. As carbon sinks, forests can potentially play an important role in carbon capture. The Paris Agreement (2015) requires signatory countries to reduce deforestation, while conserving and enhancing carbon sinks. Innovative approaches may help foresters take up climate-smart management methods and identify measures for scaling purposes. The EU’s funding instrument COST has supported the Action CLIMO (Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions – CA15226), with the aim of reorienting forestry in mountain areas to challenge the adverse impacts of climate change.Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020, CLIMO has brought together scientists and experts in continental and regional focus assessments through a cross-sectoral approach, facilitating the implementation of climate objectives. CLIMO has provided scientific analysis on issues including criteria and indicators, growth dynamics, management prescriptions, long-term perspectives, monitoring technologies, economic impacts, and governance tools. This book addresses different combinations of CLIMO’s driving/primary objectives and discusses smarter ways to develop forestry and monitor forests under current environmental changes, affecting forest ecosystems.