To protect the climate and preserve biodiversity, open information sharing regarding forests is crucial. Currently, Linnaeus University in Sweden is leading the Forest 4.0 initiative – a centre of excellence for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) in the forestry sector in Lithuania. The goal is to develop innovative solutions that cover the entire modern forestry process.
To mitigate climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, and forest degradation, it is important to ensure open exchange of forest data. Although the exchange of data obtained from satellites and remote sensing equipment used by public authorities is happening more frequently in Lithuania, the exchange of data obtained directly from the forest remains very limited.
The goal of Forest 4.0 is to develop Lithuania's forest strategy by digitalising forest management and developing an innovative, forest-based bioeconomy. The project will contribute to the EU Green Deal and the transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy by offering innovative data collection and processing applications. This new long-term investment will also highlight the importance of science-based sustainable forest management.
"The use of various digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things, will change the fundamental conditions of the forestry sector," said Arianit Kurti (Arianit Kurti), research manager and associate professor, head of the Department of Informatics at Linnaeus University's Faculty of Technology. "The project will become an innovation platform where data will be used as a valuable resource to create new insights and value for customers within the framework of a circular economy in the forestry sector."
The total budget of the project is 20 million euros, of which 10 million euros comes from the Lithuanian government and an additional 10 million euros from the European Union's Horizon programme. The project is divided into seven work packages, of which Linnaeus University's budget is 2.1 million euros, with the main focus on the development of scientific excellence and educational activities.
"The final objective of these work packages will be to identify needs and establish research groups working on the use of artificial intelligence and internet of things methods for sustainable research applications in the forestry sector," explained A. Kurti.
Examples of activities could include addressing challenges related to different levels of digital maturity in the forestry sector. Another example could be improving digital skills and providing new, research-based insights into data-driven business and service innovations.
The cooperation implemented within Forest 4.0 links its ambitions with the The Bridge project, which is a long-term strategic project in cooperation with IKEA and Södra, focusing on forestry, innovation, and sustainability. "By using digitalisation and cooperation, Forest 4.0 will develop and refine the circular value chain that begins with the living forest," notes Linnaeus University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Peter Aronsson.
In practical terms, the aim of the project is to support forest owners in using forest resources more efficiently through advanced artificial intelligence and internet of things technologies. This would allow for improved traceability throughout the value chain with the goal of achieving a more sustainable solution. For citizens, this would mean better use of natural resources, such as forests, and an overall contribution to achieving sustainable development goals.
"New, advanced technologies and materials are crucial to achieving a sustainable and beautiful world," emphasises Anna Rosenqvist (Anna Rosenqvist), CEO of Interior Cluster Sweden, one of the companies involved in the project. "By using the right materials and technologies, we can create furniture and interiors that not only reduce environmental impact but also improve the aesthetic experience in our surrounding environment. Let us explore the possibilities and work together to build a more sustainable future, where the forest serves as a resource."
The start of the project, which will run until 2029, was marked by an opening meeting on 10 and 11 May at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in Lithuania. The event was attended by vice-rectors and pro-rectors from Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), Linnaeus University (LNU), and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), representatives from the European Commission, the Lithuanian ministries of Education, Science and Sport, and Environment, representatives from Kaunas City Municipality, the chair of the Växjö Municipal Council, and others.
* artificial intelligence and internet of things