WP2: Real-world Studies

In Work Package 2 (WP2), Trees4Adapt focuses on applying and testing tree-based solutions in real landscapes through three in-depth case studies situated in Finland, Germany, and Portugal. These case studies represent contrasting ecological and socio-economic contexts: boreal managed forests, temperate agroforestry systems, and Mediterranean post-fire landscapes. WP2 works closely with local stakeholders – including landowners, public authorities, foresters, and farmers – to understand regional risks linked to climate change and biodiversity loss, and to assess how different tree-based solutions address these risks on the ground.

Across the three regions, the consortium gathers ecological, climate, and socio-economic data to evaluate outcomes such as biodiversity recovery, microclimate regulation, delivery of ecosystem services, productivity, and resilience to climate extremes. Stakeholder perceptions of risk, barriers to uptake, and priorities for land management are also investigated through workshops, interviews, and co-creation processes. This helps ensure that tree-based solutions are evaluated not only for their ecological performance but also for their relevance and feasibility within local decision-making contexts.

The findings from WP2 are used to co-develop best practice manuals and context-specific recommendations for implementing tree-based solutions effectively and avoiding maladaptation. These outputs guide practitioners and policymakers in selecting suitable approaches and inform WP3 and WP4 as they scale insights to the European level.