Database including forest types, forest ecosystem services, socio-economic indicators, and forest management practices in eight case study areas in Europe

The database including forest types, forest ecosystem services, socio-economic indicators, and forest management practices in eight case study areas, presents the wide range of data systematically collected, encompassing information on the EFT, FMP, FES, F-C nexus data, and various SE aspects through a top-down to bottom-up approach. The OptFor-EU database will be hosted on the SIMAVI data-sharing server and in open-access repositories (e.g., Zenodo, Dryad) and will be made available on an OA licence to facilitate its reusability. The data collected through stakeholder interactions adhere to ethical standards and confidentiality procedures and falls under ethical requirements. All data collected through the engagement process are not assigned at the level of the interviewed person. The datagathering process employed a multi-method, participatory approach, incorporating workshops, surveys, interviews, and bilateral meetings with stakeholders in the forest and forest-based sectors in each CSA. The comprehensive nature of these data ensures that they can inform DSS development activities.This centralised database not only underpins the DSS creation process but also facilitates a more holistic understanding of the complex interactions between FMP, FES, governance frameworks, and stakeholder perceptions. Furthermore, the integration of diverse data categories (EFT, FMP, FES, and SE indicators) creates a multi-dimensional foundation that drives the project’s core outputs. Specifically, EFT and FMP data provide essential spatial and operational parameters for scenario modelling, enabling the simulation of forest dynamics under different climate and management conditions. Concurrently, FES and SE indicators capture the multifunctional benefits and economic aspects of forest management, thereby guiding stakeholder engagement processes and informing the development of realistic, policyrelevant scenarios. This integrated approach not only ensures that the DSS is grounded in comprehensive, on-the-ground data but also reinforces the synergy among OptFor-EU WPs by aligning technical modelling, stakeholder needs, and policy objectives. For more information, please visit the project website: https://optforeu.eu/