How can we increase the timber supply? What will it cost and what will it bring? In the MOBSTRAT project, researchers from the natural and the social sciences are working together with representatives from forestry, the timber industry and environmental NGOs to find ways to increase timber harvest. Special attention will be paid to reducing the high growing stocks without jeopardising important values such as biodiversity or protection against natural hazards.

There are approximately 400 million m³ of wood in Swiss forests, of which around five million cubic metres are harvested annually. This shows that the potential of Swiss timber as a renewable resource is not being fully exploited; the long-term potential harvest rate lies at around seven million m³. The harvest rate could be additionally increased significantly if the growing stocks were reduced. However, certain obstacles need to be overcome before more timber can be harvested: Timber harvest is partially at odds with other functions of forests (habitat, recreation, carbon storage, etc.) and interest in increasing harvest has been low until now.

MOBSTRAT aims to develop practical strategies for increasing timber harvest, to demonstrate their advantages and disadvantages and their application potential. Based on three case studies – the cantons Aargau, Grisons and Ticino - , the researchers are using computer models to estimate the amounts of timber that could be potentially harvested for the next decades as well as the associated costs and profits. The evaluation of the individual strategies considers different aspects such as timber increment, protection against natural hazards, carbon storage, suitability for recreation, biodiversity and regional economies. When developing the strategies, the researchers will involve the stakeholders by participatory approaches.

The core of the project is the forest scenario simulator Massimo3. The project description (124 kB) can be downloaded here.

The MOBSTRAT project aims to improve methods for modeling and estimating timber resources. The researchers want to present in concrete terms the conditions under which more timber could be harvested sustainably. In addition, MOBSTRAT focuses on the instruments that can help decision-makers in politics and business to play a more active role and provide effective support for their undertakings.

MOBSTRAT is been funded for a duration of 36 months (2012-2015) by the National Research Program NRP66

Dr. Peter Brang, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf

Dr. Esther Thürig, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf

Edgar Kaufmann, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf

Dr. Roman Rudel, Institute for Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Canobbio

Francesca Cellina, Institute for Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Canobbio

Luca Pampuri, Institute for Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Canobbio

Dr. Marco Conedera, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Bellinzona

Dr. Peter Brang
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)
Zürcherstr. 111
CH–8903 Birmensdorf
Phone: +41 44 739 24 86