Adapting drained forests to future climates

AdaptDam combines modelling and experiments to understand how seasonal water availability affects tree growth in drained forests and whether adaptive drainage can reduce drought stress while supporting forest productivity, water quality, and biodiversity under climate change.

Much of the forest in the Nordic and Baltic regions was drained decades ago to boost growth. As droughts become more frequent, the same ditches may now drain away water the trees need. Adaptive drainage uses simple structures, such as small dams and adjustable culvert gates, to hold water back in dry periods and release it when conditions are wet.