DSS4ES
Decision Support Systems For Environmental Services
Forests and surrounding landscapes are interconnected, where management decisions in one affect the other. Therefore, an integrated DSS (Decision Support System) framework is needed to address sustainable forest management by linking forest and landscape interactions. This framework should incorporate information from various rural and land-use activities. Integrating knowledge from DSS in farming, animal husbandry, forestry, and ecosystem management can help assess ecosystem services at the landscape scale. The main aim of this Action is to create a research network to develop new methodological approaches in DSS, focusing on holistic planning to enhance sustainable forest management and address ecosystem services, risks, and uncertainties.
Most Recent News
Read moreTue 9th June 2026 in News
DSS4ES online session at the GLP Week of Land System Science
DSS4ES is having an online session at the GLP (Global Land Programme) Week of Land System Science on June 18, 2026, 10:00–11:15 AM CEST, titled "Supporting Decisions in Complex Forest Systems: Tools, Approaches, and Lessons from Practice." The session will showcase applications of DSS in the forestry context. Participation is for free.
Meeting link: https://uni-halle.webex.com/uni-halle-en/j.php?MTID=m3e5ffa529472168be14ec94754deb017
The program to the online session: HERE
Mon 1st June 2026 in News
Writing retreat at BOKU University
The writing retreat at BOKU University helped to further shape the ongoing work on the review papers on the role of data, models and methods for decision support systems. Through intensive discussions and knowledge exchange, participants worked on identifying the current state-of-the-art, key methodological approaches, and remaining research challenges in the field of DSS development and application. A big thank to Janina Kleemann, Ulrike H., Jos Van Orshoven and all colleagues involved for the productive atmosphere, inspiring discussions, and excellent collaboration throughout the retreat. A special thanks to Harald Vacik for hosting us at BOKU University and for creating such a productive and inspiring working environment.
See also https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7458378453566816256/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/dss4es/posts/?feedView=all
Mon 1st June 2026 in News
Successful session about Decision Support Systems for Ecosystem
Computerized decision support systems (DSS) are know to support planning and decision making in semi- and unstructured decision problems. In that context database systems are often linked with analytical models and expert knowledge to take informed and data-driven decisions and allow managers visualizations by various graphical and tabular means. The EGU26 session "Decision Support Systems for Ecosystem Services" organised by DSS4ES provided an opportunity to showcase the state of the art in DSS for the management of natural resources for the provision of Ecosystem Services. The session had very nice contributions from different parts of the world showing the scientific advances in the field of decision support tools, by presenting frameworks of integrated DSS and advandced combinations of methods, models and data to support decison making: https://lnkd.in/ew2Czh3W
Thanks to all the authors that have contributed to the session with an oral or poster presentation.
Mon 1st June 2026 in News
DSS4ES Training School Brought Together Early-Career Researchers
During May 2026, the DSS4ES Training School, held in Brașov, Romania, brought together PhD students and researchers from across Europe to strengthen their knowledge of decision support for forest ecosystem services in the context of climate resilience and decarbonisation. Organized in collaboration with the OptFor-EU project, the event featured expert lectures and hands-on training in DSS tools, scenario analysis, and participatory methods, while also providing valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and international networking.
Wed 8th April 2026 in News
Our new DSS4ES Youtube Channel
As part of the dissemination activities in the COST Action "Integrated DSS for delivery of ecosystem services based on EU forest policies" (DSS4ES) we have started to produce short videos about the Action itself and about the demands, challenges and use of decision support systems. Please check out our new Youtube channel, we will always update the platform with the most recently produced videos.
Upcoming Meetings
Conference
Management Committee Meeting
Management Committee Meeting 1/2026
Fri 12th June 2026 in online
Training School
Working Group Meeting
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