Background and Research Approach

Forest ecosystems are increasingly exposed to drought, heat-waves, pests, and other extreme events, raising urgent questions about how forest resilience can be strengthened through both ecological understanding and management practices. The outreach project “Forest Resilience: Science and Practice” aimed at fostering dialogue between scientific research and practical experience on forest resilience under climate change. The project was built around the idea that resilience is best understood when scientific concepts are discussed alongside real-world observations. By creating spaces for exchange among researchers, practitioners, students, and interested citizens, the project sought to bridge disciplinary and professional boundaries and make current forest research more accessible.

Methods

Two complementary formats shaped the project: a forest excursion and an online seminar series. A central activity was the guided forest excursion Waldresilienz on 20 September 2025. This excursion allowed participants to explore forest resilience directly in situ through a series of thematic stops. Participants included prospective forestry students, forest practitioners, early-career researchers, educators, and members of the general public. Several forest researchers guided discussions on different topics, ranging from soil processes, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage to tree growth, water stress, and canopy micro-climate. Participants were able to observe measurement techniques, handle scientific instruments, and access the forest canopy via a walkway, making abstract concepts tangible. At the end, a picknick was organize to allow participants and researchers to exchange in a more informal setting.

The second format was an online seminar series held twice per month from September to December, comprising seven seminars. Speakers from different regions and professional backgrounds addressed topics such as tree physiology, drought resistance, soil science, forest management in Germany, deforestation in Argentina, and agroforestry and landscape design. Additionally, they shared insight about their personal career path, offering examples particularly useful for early-career researchers and students. This format enabled international participation and provided broader thematic, other than favouring a good networking opportunity.

Achievements and Challenges

The combination of hands-on field learning and online knowledge exchange proved highly effective. The forest excursion was particularly successful in stimulating discussion, as observing concrete examples in the forest helped participants better grasp complex ideas such as resilience, trade-offs, and uncertainty in management decisions. The high motivation and engagement of contributing researchers were key strengths.

However, several challenges emerged. As a non-German speaker, communication with German-speaking participants during the excursion initially posed difficulties. This was mitigated through the help of engaging and motivated colleagues and was an opportunity to practice and improve my German communication skills. Logistically, fitting many topics and activities into a limited time frame and organizing every steps of the event (from picking up the participant and drive them to the meeting point to prepare an informal gathering space) required substantial preparation and departmental support. For the online seminars, the main challenges were outreach and accessibility. Reaching audiences across different countries and time zones proved difficult, and advertising the events required more effort than anticipated.

Results and Reflection

The project achieved tangible outreach results in both its in-person and online formats. The forest excursion was attended by more than 30 participants from diverse backgrounds, including students, practitioners, researchers, educators, and interested citizens. The excursion was led by five forest science researchers, all women, who contributed their expertise on soils, tree physiology, and canopy processes. Their involvement not only ensured scientific depth but also highlighted the visibility of women in forest science

The online seminar series attracted more than 150 registrations in total across seven seminars. Participants and speakers joined from multiple countries, including Germany, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Bangladesh, reflecting the international relevance of forest resilience and land-use challenges. Overall, the project achieved substantial outreach, strengthened exchange between science and practice, and demonstrated the effectiveness of combining field-based and digital formats.

• Production of social media video content in collaboration with Forsterklärt. Thanks to this collaboration with Forsterklärt, an expert in translating complex forestry concepts into engaging and accessible formats, we were able to present Dr. Christina Hackmann’s research on tree physiology, with a particular focus on how tree species interact in mixed forests and how they cope with drought.
• Exploring the forest from above: climbing the canopy walkway. Guided by PhD candidate Rebecca Schwutke and with special permission from the Plant Ecology group, participants in the forest excursion accessed the canopy walkway. This unique structure allows researchers to study the upper parts of trees, where temperature and climate extremes are most pronounced.
• Learning about field work and deforestation in the Dry Chaco Forest, Argentina. The PhD candidate Axel Gualdoni Becerra shared insights from his adventurous field campaign in the Dry Chaco, a biologically rich yet heavily overexploited landscape in urgent need of protection. Despite facing unexpected challenges—including a severe allergic reaction caused by one of the most abundant plant species—his work did not stop, and highlighted both the extraordinary plant diversity and the scientific importance of this still underexplored region.

Sharath S. Paligi - Tree hydrology

Climbing tree canopies and crossing ecosystems: my scientific quest to understand plant water regulations

Axel Gualdoni Becerra - Deforestation in Argentina

Are you allergic to your study site? Stories of biodiversity, degradation, and unexpected career paths

Alice Penanhoat - Forest complexity

Understanding complex forests requires many collaborations

Ziva Pecenko - Landscape architecture

What is contemporary landscape design?