Research – Center for Advanced Forestry Systems

Our Research Vision

From data to decisions at every scale

CAFS Phase IV research is organized around the core challenge facing the forest sector today: translating an explosion of data from remote sensing, genomics, and environmental monitoring into practical decision support tools that managers can use at the stand, ownership, and landscape scale.

Our research portfolio integrates across disciplines rather than operating in silos. Growth models informed by genetics. Site productivity maps driven by remote sensing. Climate adaptation strategies grounded in physiological measurements. Every project is designed to produce tools and knowledge that industry members can deploy.

Innovation Focal Areas

Six themes driving Phase IV research

Each focal area addresses a critical need identified by our industry advisory board and represents an area where CAFS research is positioned to deliver measurable impact.

Growth & Yield Modeling

Next Generation Decision Support

Building open, modular growth engines that integrate genetics, climate, and site variables into a unified prediction framework. Moving beyond species-level models toward individual-tree precision that supports diverse management objectives from carbon to timber value.

Remote Sensing & Technology

From Pixels to Prescriptions

Developing validated protocols for extracting actionable forest metrics from UAV, LiDAR, and satellite data. Emphasis on cost-effective monitoring at operational scales, automated change detection, and integration with existing inventory systems.

Climate Adaptation & Resilience

Managing Forests Under Uncertainty

Quantifying drought vulnerability, developing rapid stress indicators, and building scenario tools that help managers evaluate adaptation strategies. Research spans from physiological measurements to landscape-scale risk assessment.

Precision Silviculture

Site-Specific Management at Scale

Optimizing nutrient management, thinning prescriptions, and planting decisions using high-resolution site data. Moving from uniform prescriptions to spatially explicit recommendations that maximize returns on silvicultural investments.

Genetics & Genomics

Accelerating Genetic Gain

Integrating genomic selection with site evaluation to match the best genetic material to specific sites and objectives. Evaluating biotechnology pathways and building prediction equations validated across regions and species.

Forest Health & Protection

Early Detection, Rapid Response

Developing remote sensing based early warning systems for pest and disease outbreaks, drought stress mapping, and integrated health monitoring that connects spectral signatures to field-validated conditions.

Technology Roadmap

Delivering tools across the Phase IV timeline

Our research is designed to produce deliverables at regular intervals, not just at the end of the phase. Here is what members can expect.

2024 – 2025

Foundation & Calibration

Establishing baseline datasets, calibrating remote sensing protocols across sites, and deploying initial field instrumentation. First round of updated growth model parameters and validated site index models delivered to members.

Data Collection Model Calibration

2025 – 2027

Integration & Prototyping

Cross-project data integration, prototype decision support tools for member testing, and initial climate adaptation scenario platforms. Genomic prediction equations available for key species. Web-based drought risk mapping in beta.

Prototype Tools Member Testing

2027 – 2029

Deployment & Scale

Production-ready decision support platforms, comprehensive remote sensing processing pipelines, and validated precision silviculture recommendations. Full documentation, training materials, and technology transfer to member organizations.

Operational Tools Technology Transfer

Research & Innovation