The Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” has developed a programme that can also be described as a tool for forest modelling. It was created to support the forestry sector when there is a need to model a strategy and understand where it might lead.

Institute researcher Guntars Šņepsts has been working on this programme for many years. He explains that the programme is not simple; it requires in-depth knowledge that can only be provided by those who have studied the processes occurring in the forest very thoroughly: “This is not a tool that any forest owner can use, because forest modelling is influenced by a great many factors. Moreover, it is impossible to predict everything. One cannot predict fires, windthrows, or ice breaks.”

Guntars Šņepsts began working on this topic as early as 2018, but had been engaged in it optionally since 2005. When a new position was created, Šņepsts was able to dedicate all his time to this project. G. Šņepsts: “We received, for example, a request regarding how the diameter of the final felling might affect the future of the forest.