HARDWOOD FOR THE HOME

Introduction

The LIFE HFH project will develop a silvicultural model based on CLOSE TO NATURE FORESTRY (CNF) to increase the climate change mitigation capacity of beech forests in Spain. The model will establish the adaptation to climate change of beech forests and the improvement of their biodiversity.

Project Implementation

This model will be applied in a set of 10 demonstration stands of 20 ha, located in 10 Public Forest areas, spread over 4 regions of Spain (Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla-León, and Basque Country). These stands will represent the edaphoclimatic conditions, development, and conservation status of beech forests in Spain.

Wood Production

The implementation of the CNF will generate 250 tons of wood for cascade use. The beech wood obtained in the demonstration stands will be used to:

1. Develop 2 new C2M lines of innovative beech wood products with long carbon retention life:

   • Glued laminated timber (MLE)
   • Cross-laminated timber (CLT)

2. Develop the new "Hayabitat" construction system, with which a pilot demonstration building will be constructed to serve for training and transferability of results.

Certification

The pilot building will become the first building certified in sustainable forest management under the PEFC standard and will also be certified as a passive building under the "Passivhaus" standard.

Scaling Up

The results obtained in the demonstration stands will allow scaling up the application of NFP through the development of regional strategic plans. The project proposes a larger-scale transfer of results in the beech forest biodiversity mitigation, adaptation, and enhancement laboratories (FagusLiving-Labs), to collaborate with local and regional actors in the supply chain and the sector.

Participatory Actions

The FagusLiving-Labs will carry out 11 participatory actions and co-creation activities. The results of the project will be disseminated through different communication tools. The pilot building will also serve as a tool for transferability and knowledge transfer through various training actions.