• The research group conducts research on the conservation and restoration of forests, as well as on the optimization of their ecosystem services.
• This research aligns seamlessly with the (Dutch) Forest and Nature Management program, with which we collaborate closely.
• We work in teams with students and partners from the professional field. Together, we tackle current research questions related to forest ecology, forest management, and the production of wood as a renewable resource. For example, which tree species should we plant to make our forests more resilient to climate extremes?
• We also collaborate with other universities of applied sciences, vocational colleges, and universities in the Netherlands, across Europe, and in tropical countries. Because forests are a hot topic everywhere.
• Our research contributes to the transition toward an ecologically and economically valuable living environment, in which forests play a crucial role.
• We inspire students to carry on our work, because forest management is a long-term endeavor.

The mission of the Applied Research Group Sustainable Forest Management is to promote existing forests and the expansion of forested areas. We achieve this in collaboration with other educational and research institutions and partners from the professional field. We aim to motivate our students and prepare them for socially important and challenging roles as forest managers and advisors.

Research at the Applied Research Group Sustainable Forest Management focuses on how to make our forests more resilient to climate change while preserving their various ecosystem functions. We work along several research lines to achieve this.

1. Revitalisation: By planting deciduous tree species, we revitalise conifer monocultures. Their litter improves soil quality, increasing water retention capacity and enhancing biodiversity.
2. Experimentation: We experiment with native and exotic tree species that may be more drought-resistant.
3. Monitoring I: We monitor young plantations and forest development to understand which tree species can survive in a changing climate and how forest managers can guide this process.
4. Monitoring II: Through dendrochronology, we monitor long-term tree growth activity. Using tree sensors, we track the effects of drought on tree growth, quantifying how extreme weather conditions impact forest productivity and vitality.
5. Production: Wood, as a renewable building material, is a good substitute for concrete and steel (materials with a negative ecological footprint). Therefore, we are committed to the sustainable production of wood, including in Dutch forests where possible. For example, we explore the possibilities of cultivating fast-growing deciduous tree species for use in construction.

Since its inception in 2023, the Applied Research Group Sustainable Forest Management has been the coordinator and partner in projects focused on forest restoration and management.

Current Projects

Vital and Versatile Forest: In Vital Forest, we seek management measures to increase the diversity and resilience of Dutch forests. The affiliated project Versatile Forest supports forest managers in choosing the right management measures.

Wood it be possible: Together with Wageningen University & Research (WUR), we investigate the obstacles to using sustainable wood in construction. We examine the entire chain - from forest to wood usage.

EUROSILVICS: This project aims to develop a European educational platform on forest ecology and management. WUR coordinates, and the Applied Research Group Sustainable Forest Management is an associated partner.

COMBINED How do climate change and biodiversity interact? What measures can we take to create resilient forests and landscapes? A broad consortium is addressing these questions.

We are also committed to tropical forests, such as the sustainable management of palm oil plantations in Asia and reforestation in Africa. For more details, check the projects of the Applied Research Group Oil Palm and Tropical Forests by associate professor Peter van der Meer.

Research by the Applied Research Group for Sustainable Forestry results in various publications: peer-reviewed and trade journal articles, research reports, opinion pieces, and podcasts. This way, we make research visible to fellow scientists as well as the general public. There is a lot of interest, as forests and trees are 'hot'.

Featured publications

• Podcast 'Bomen over bos' (edition 3, 2023): How do trees in Dutch forests respond to climate extremes like the drought in 2018? And do they recover from it? The applied research group is investigating this, and Professor Ute Sass-Klaassen discusses it in the podcast. The role of the applied research group in creating resilient forests is also covered.
• Scientific article on tree ring research (2023): Can forest productivity be predicted by models? Tree ring researchers from across Europe (including Ute Sass-Klaassen) link tree ring data, climate data, and remote sensing data for this purpose. This is an important study in times of climate change. As the photosynthesis capacity of the canopy surface changes, it affects the productivity and thus the CO2 sequestration and carbon storage of the forest.

You can find all publications of the applied research group on Greeni, the online library of the green universities of applied sciences.

While the applied research group is building a knowledge network (with experienced and young researchers and advisors from the Forest and Nature Management programme, WUR, Staatsbosbeheer, Forestry Groups, and other stakeholders), we are already joining forces with these knowledge partners:

• Peter van der Meer, Associate Professor of Oil Palm & Tropical Forests and Researcher
• John Raggers, Programme Manager of the Forest and Nature Management programme and connector of education and research (VHL)
• Linar Akhmetzyanov, Lecturer and Researcher at the Applied Research Group for Sustainable Forestry, expert in tree biology and tree ring research, and Coordinator of research at the Tree Ring Lab (VHL)
• Juriaan Zandvliet, Lecturer-Researcher in the Forest and Nature Management programme and expert in forest management, diseases, and pests (VHL)
• Jan den Ouden, expert in forest ecology and forest management and connector of higher vocational education and university (WUR)
• The team around the Hotspot Tree, Forest, and Nature from the vocational education Forest and Nature Management programme (Yuverta)
• Jan Oldenburger, advisor and expert in forest management, inventory, and forest and wood data (Staatsbosbeheer)

The Applied Research Group for Sustainable Forestry is closely linked to the Forest and Nature Management programme at VHL. Professors are directly involved in research projects, and students complete their final projects at the applied research group, intern with our field partners, or participate in project work. .

Oil Palm & Tropical Forests

The Associate Research Group for Oil Palm and Tropical Forests works on the sustainable use of ecosystem services from tropical forest areas. The focus is on reducing deforestation and optimising goods and services from existing plantations and forest areas. We support local users in improving revenue models for forest products. This contributes to combating biodiversity loss and climate change.

Read more about the Associate Research Group for Oil Palm and Tropical Forests.

Want to know more about the Applied Research Group for Sustainable Forestry? Curious about collaboration opportunities? Or interested in an internship or final project? Call or email:

Dr. Ute Sass-Klaassen
Professor of Sustainable Forestry
E-mail: ute.sassklaassen@hvhl.nl
Phone: +31 6 23 02 00 00