Open sharing of information about forests is of great importance to protect the climate and preserve biodiversity. Currently, Sweden-based Linnaeus University is running the Forest 4.0 initiative, an excellence centre for the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in the forestry sector in Lithuania.

The goal is to develop innovative solutions that encompass the entire process of modern forestry. The Forest 4.0 initiative aims to develop Lithuania’s forest strategy by digitalising forest management and developing an innovative bio-economy based on forests.

The project will contribute to the EU’s Green Deal and the transition to a sustainable and circular bio-economy by offering innovative applications of data collection and processing. This new long-term investment will also highlight the importance of sustainable forest management based on scientific principles.

“The use of different digital technologies, such as AI and IoT, will transform the fundamental conditions of the forestry industry. The project will become an innovation platform where data will be used as a valuable resource to create new insights and values for customers in a circular economy within the forestry sector,” says Arianit Kurti, project manager for Forest 4.0.

The total budget for the project is 20 million Euros, of which 10 million Euros come from the Lithuanian government and an additional 10 million Euros from EU Horizon.

The project is divided into seven work packages, with Linnaeus University’s budget amounting to 2.1 million Euros, with focus on the development of activities within scientific excellence and education.

Kurti also said that the ultimate goal of this initiative is to identify the needs and establish research groups working on the use of AI and IoT methods for sustainable research applications in the forestry industry.

Examples of activities could include addressing challenges related to different levels of digital maturity within the forestry sector. Another example could be enhancing digital skills and providing new research-based insights on data-driven business and service innovation.

“The collaboration within Forest 4.0 connects its ambitions with The Bridge, which is a long-term, strategic project in partnership with IKEA and Södra, focusing on forestry, innovation, and sustainability. Through digitalisation and collaboration, Forest 4.0 will develop and improve the circular value chain that starts with the living forest,” says Peter Aronsson, vice-chancellor of Linnaeus University.

In practical terms, the project aims to support forest owners in using forest resources more efficiently by utilising advanced AI and IoT technologies. This would enable increased traceability throughout the value chain to achieve a more sustainable solution. For ordinary citizens, it would mean a better utilisation of natural resources such as forests and an overall contribution to the sustainable development goals.

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