NMBU researchers bring vital planning expertise to a national effort to understand how forests can protect communities from climate‑related hazards such as landslides and avalanches.
The new cross-sector research is a collaboration involving the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) and researchers from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
We asked urban and regional planning professor, Mina Di Marino why forests are becoming central to climate adaptation strategies.
From geotechnics to planning
The initiative started with an invitation from NGI, a research institute that investigates soil, rocks and natural hazards such as landslides.
“They approached us because they wanted to include a planning perspective,” explains Di Marino. “They are experts in the technical aspects - why landslides and avalanches occur. We look at how land use and planning decisions shape these risks.”
Di Marino leads a work package focusing on the legislation and spatial planning of so-called protection forests. NMBU also contributes to education and capacity building within the project, including through master’s theses and the development of training courses.
The collaboration builds on earlier initiatives and is now evolving into a broader cross-sector project, currently referred to as FORTRESS. It brings together research institutions, public agencies, and international partners to better understand how societies can manage nature-based risks.
Forests as protection
At the heart of the project is a simple yet powerful idea: forests are more than natural resources - they are an essential part of society’s safety infrastructure. By strengthening and managing forests, we can use them as natural buffers that reduce climate‑related risks, rather than relying solely on technical or built solutions. This approach is known as nature‑based solutions (NBS).
“Forests provide multiple ecosystem services,” says Di Marino. “They regulate temperature, support biodiversity, offer recreational spaces, but they also play a crucial role in reducing natural hazards.”
The relationship between forests and risk is complex. Deforestation or land-use change can increase vulnerability: the more trees felled, the higher the risk of landslides and avalanches.
This makes spatial planning a crucial arena for effective climate adaptation.
The role of planners
While NGI and other scientific institutions concentrate on the physical processes behind climate‑related hazards, the NMBU team (Mina Di Marino and Associate Professor Andreas Hengstermann) brings essential expertise on governance and spatial planning.
Their work focuses on the following questions:
- How are forests currently managed across national, regional, and municipal levels?
- How can planning tools better account for ecosystem services?
- How can land-use strategies reduce climate-related risks?
The research will combine document analysis, interviews with planners, and stakeholder engagement.
“We want to understand what has been done, and what is still missing,” explains Di Marino.
Case studies across Norway
The project will focus on three areas:
- Sogndal (Vestland)
- Lom (Innlandet)
- 2 mini-cases that are Sårheim i Vestland and Nordreisa in Trømso
Across these cases, researchers will analyse planning practices at multiple scales. from national frameworks to local implementation.
Beyond academia
One of the project’s main ambitions is to bridge the gap between research and practice.
“For me, the most important goal is awareness,” says Di Marino. “People need to understand the value of forests, not only for recreation or resources, but for safety and climate resilience.”
The project also aims to support municipal planners with better tools and knowledge and contribute to national guidelines. It will also train future planners through teaching and master degree projects / theses.
“When you find good partners, you want to continue working together,” notes Di Marino. “This kind of interdisciplinary work is essential if we want to address complex climate challenges.”
Factbox:
Project Leader:
Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI)
Partners:
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, campus Sogndal
- Austrian Research Centre for Forests
Public partners:
- Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE)
- Norwegian Agriculture and Land Use Agency (Landbruksdirektoratet, LD)
- County Governors in Vestland, Innlandet, and Trøndelag (SFV/SFI/SFT)
- The municipalities of Lom, Sogndal, and Sunnfjord
Private partners:
- Skogkurs AS (The Forestry Extension Institute)
- Skog og Skred AS
- Allskog (Trøndelag)
- AT Skog (Vestland)
- Glommen Mjøsen Skog (Innlandet)
- WoodWorks!
- Visit Jotunheimen