🌳💦 Secondments: Exchanging Knowledge and Skills with the Bureau of Forest Management

Over the past two weeks, during the secondments within the FluxFlood Project at the Bureau of Forest Management in Poland, we had the opportunity to gain in-depth insight into their activities — spanning practical forest management, long-term (10-year) planning, scientific research, and project development.

Together with the Bureau’s team, we carried out field assessments of forest bogs around the Białowieża Forest and Nature Reserve Bagno Wizna to evaluate their condition. The focus was on measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to determine whether these bogs act as carbon sinks or sources. Interestingly, we found that many of them are very dry, meaning they release rather than absorb greenhouse gases.

💧 These findings are crucial for improving forest hydrology. The Bureau uses such data to guide actions like blocking small drainage ditches and promoting small-scale water retention – simple but effective steps that help retain water in the forest and meadow systems to restore wetland ecosystems while balancing the needs of agricultural users.

This secondment has been a true two-way exchange of knowledge:
🔹 We shared our expertise on GHG emission measurements and hydrological assessments.
🔹 The Bureau shared valuable insights into water retention management, collaboration with farmers, and the use of drones and specialized software for monitoring forest and water systems.

🤝 The experience opened exciting opportunities for future collaboration, including joint research projects, scientific publications and continued work on rewetting and carbon balance in forest ecosystems.

It’s been an inspiring and productive time – full of learning, fieldwork and meaningful cooperation.