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In Season 3=C2=A0of Branching out: the forest podcast= , we explore how scientists in IUFRO collaborate across disciplines to tackle= emerging topics through Task Forces. We continue the Season with the Task Fo= rce on=C2=A0Stand Complexity in Planted Forests= and explore the resilience and value of planted forests, and the need to add= ress common misconceptions.

Host Gerda Wolfrum from IUFRO H= eadquarters and co-host=C2=A0Clarissa Chimeremeze Enyi, Nigeria, from = the International Forestry Students' Association (IFSA), spoke with Task Forc= e co-leads Christophe Orazio, Institut Europ=C3=A9en de la For=C3=AAt = Cultiv=C3=A9e (IEFC), France, and Tim Payn, Bioeconomy Science Institu= te Maiangi Taiao, New Zealand.

Planted forests result from human i= ntervention and are always established with a purpose; they are 'raised to= solve problems', as Clarissa=C2=A0Chimeremeze=C2=A0put = it. Two thirds of the world's planted forests are managed to produce goods su= ch as timber, non-wood forest products, pulp and fiber, and bioenergy. With o= nly 7% of the global forest area, they contribute to almost half of the indus= trial roundwood supply worldwide; and the global demand for wood products is = expected to triple by 2050! Planted forests also provide other ecosystem serv= ices such as soil protection, carbon sequestration, water quality and habitat= for wildlife.

While planted forests are extremely valuable, they = are also exposed to serious challenges, just like natural forests. Climate ch= ange is a major driver as it causes hotter, drier weather, more intense storm= s, more frequent fires and more amenable conditions for pests and diseases. <= strong>Christophe Orazio=C2=A0said, "There is a dominant h= ypothesis stating that large areas of mono-specific regular stands are more s= ensitive to many hazards. The Task Force explores the increase of stan= d complexity =E2=80=93 by mixing species and age, introducing hedge rows, etc= . =E2=80=93 to find out what level of complexity improves resilience, what is= sustainable and remains profitable."

Planted forests are ofte= n perceived negatively, a view that is not necessarily grounded in fact. Ther= e is a need to better understand why those perceptions are there and how to c= hange them. "The key to helping people understand planted forests better i= s really good communication and also making it human", said=C2=A0= Tim Payn. With a view to the IUFRO World Congress in Nairobi in 2029= , he added, "I'm looking to see how we can increase understanding, come up= with new approaches potentially to manage all the trade-offs between economi= cs and the ecology and the environment and people, which is extremely importa= nt, so that we can keep planted forests moving, but in a resilient way."<= br />
Tune in to=C2=A0Branching Out: t= he forest podcast! Listen on=C2=A0Spotify=C2=A0and=C2=A0Apple Podcasts, and don't forget to= follow us!