Questions of how we monitor, acquire, and analyze data in forest environments – and ultimately, how we create value from that data is of key importance to the team behind Forest4.0. But as the forestry sector moves toward this transformation, it faces several key challenges that must be addressed.
Challenges of today
One of the most pressing issues is the uneven level of digital maturity across the forestry value chain. While some parts of the sector are beginning to embrace digital tools, others still lag behind, making it difficult to implement unified, data-driven approaches. Alongside this, there is a growing need to shift from traditional supply chain logic to a more ecosystem-based way of thinking. This became especially clear during the pandemic, when global disruptions revealed how dependent we are on fragile supply chains. Events occurring far from our own regions can quickly impact how we manage resources and work with forests.
Another critical factor is digital competence. There is a clear need to increase digital skills across the entire sector: from forest owners and managers to scientists and policy-makers – to take full advantage of the digital tools and data available. Having data is not a solution on its own. It is part of a solution – but only when used with the right knowledge and capabilities.
Equally important is the need for constant innovation. To build the future of forestry, we must encourage new ideas and approaches at every stage of the value chain. Only by thinking creatively and pushing boundaries can we uncover new possibilities for sustainability, efficiency, and added value.
Science-based approaches
At Forest4.0, we believe scientific and technological contributions are essential in addressing these challenges. Our work focuses on developing new approaches to forest damage detection, biodiversity protection, environmental monitoring, and other related issues. Forests represent a deeply complex and largely unsolved challenge – and as we’ve heard in recent conferences, many important issues have already been identified and are ready for action.
One area we focus on is data traceability. Creating alignment across the entire value chain, from the individual tree to the final product. For example, Kaunas University of Technology is exploring Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that enable end-to-end tracking of forest resources. This kind of traceability is becoming increasingly important, especially as the European Union moves forward with digital product passports that require full transparency. In turn, this creates new possibilities for resilient, sustainable use of forest-based products.
We also explore how predictive analytics, automation, and precision management – powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning – can support decision-making and help address the many challenges embedded in forestry data. But technology alone isn’t enough. Machines must work alongside humans, not replace them. Human intelligence adds essential context, creativity, and judgment. Innovation happens when people and machines collaborate, bringing together different forms of intelligence to solve complex problems in new ways.
Forest4.0 as an innovation platform
By enabling data gathering and integration across the full forestry value chain, we also create a foundation for new forms of innovation. Forests are not just about trees or raw materials – through data, we can unlock entirely new services and business opportunities that benefit communities, industries, and the environment. That’s why our goal is to develop Forest4.0 into an innovation platform – a space where forestry experts, digital technology developers, researchers, producers, and forest owners can come together. Collaboration across disciplines is essential. Only when we listen to each other and work together can we create meaningful change.
This kind of interdisciplinary cooperation can feel unfamiliar at first, but we believe it is the only way forward. Data is at the heart of this process. It enables the creation of new value propositions and business models, and it lays the groundwork for disruptive innovation – where technology doesn’t just improve what exists but opens the door to entirely new ways of thinking and working with forests.
We must also be willing to learn from past mistakes. Many industries have seen how failure to adapt leads to decline – as witnessed by companies like Nokia and Kodak. The forestry sector is not immune. We are in the midst of rapid digital transformation, and the pace of change is only accelerating. To stay relevant and competitive, forestry must embrace innovation, rethink its traditional business models, and act quickly.
In this new landscape, data is a vital but not standalone asset. Its real value emerges when it is part of a broader strategy – one that moves beyond simply packaging or selling data and instead uses it as a driver for real transformation. With the right tools, skills, and mindset, the forestry sector can become a leader in innovation, sustainability, and value creation.
This article was prepared after Dr. Arianit Kurti presentation in joined Horizon Europe project Forest4.0 and Interreg Baltic Sea Region project Diverse Gene Watch conference in Kaunas, April 8th, 2025.