Trees4Adapt: Trees against climate change

Climate change and biodiversity loss are closely interconnected, creating complex risks that threaten ecosystems, human wellbeing and the economy. In current decision-making processes and land-use planning, this interconnection is often not sufficiently taken into account, which limits the effectiveness of adaptation strategies. 

To change this, the European Union has launched the project “Trees4Adapt – Addressing complex risks from climate change and biodiversity loss across systems and scales: Leveraging the potential of tree-based solutions for adaptation in Europe.” The project is funded under Horizon Europe as part of the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. 

Trees4Adapt started in October 2025, runs for four years and brings together twelve partners from across Europe – including Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU). The project is coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and has a total budget of €4 million. 

The aim of the project is to deepen understanding of the risks arising from climate change and biodiversity loss and to support decision-makers in the design and implementation of nature-based, tree-based solutions. These solutions are intended to strengthen resilience, conserve and restore biodiversity, and avoid maladaptation. 

“Mitigation alone will not help us fast enough – now is the time for adaptation,” said Prisca Haemers, Policy Officer for the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, at the project’s kick-off meeting. “Projects like Trees4Adapt are essential to accelerate Europe’s resilience and must work together within the Mission network to fully realise their impact.” 

Projects from Finland to Portugal 

Trees4Adapt combines current research with practical solutions. Building on long-standing European research platforms, the project investigates how different tree species and species mixtures can deliver multiple benefits, such as buffering microclimates and strengthening ecosystems. In addition, the project assesses the economic viability of tree-based solutions using bioeconomic and spatial modelling and develops scenarios that illustrate how different decisions could shape future landscapes. 

Specifically, Trees4Adapt is structured around five work packages. One of these is led by Würzburg biologist Dr. Sarah Redlich. Her team’s work builds on case studies from three European regions representing different biomes. 

“Nature-based, tree-based solutions are often portrayed as a silver bullet for tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. In practice, however, local conditions and the priorities of affected stakeholders are frequently overlooked, which can lead to negative social, economic and ecological impacts,” explains Sarah Redlich, outlining the motivation behind the three case studies in Portugal, Germany and Finland. 

“We use a place-based, systemic approach to assess the extent to which tree-based solutions can reduce local risks and thereby create added value for climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and society.” 

In the boreal forests of Finland, researchers build on unique forest diversity experiments to investigate how increased tree species and genetic diversity can improve the resilience of planted forest landscapes. In Germany, the focus is on agroforestry networks and how integrating trees into agricultural systems can promote biodiversity and support farming. In Portugal, the case study examines Mediterranean landscapes after wildfires and explores whether greater tree species diversity can slow fire spread and accelerate recovery. From the outset, Trees4Adapt works closely with local stakeholders and institutions at EU level to jointly develop practical, ready-to-apply solutions. 

Project kick-off in Helsinki 

At the start of the project, members of the consortium met in November in Finland’s capital, Helsinki. The two-day meeting served to define shared priorities and develop strategies to maximise the project’s impact. 

Following this successful kick-off, part of the consortium travelled to western Finland to visit the Satakunta tree species diversity experiment. This experiment is a central element of the Finnish case study and one of the first of its kind worldwide. Established 26 years ago at multiple sites in Satakunta by researchers from the University of Turku, the long-term research platform provides unique insights into how tree species diversity influences forest resilience. 

The visit also served as a blueprint for the planned involvement of local stakeholders. Exchanges with various interest groups produced a clear message: 

“Less talk, more action – we need results that can trigger concrete change.” 

Funding acknowledgement 

Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme, Grant Agreement No. 101213184 (Trees4Adapt). Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.