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Forests are more than trees and communication is more than words: Inter- and transdisciplinary research about effective multi-stakeholder communication in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Liebal, Sandra
  • Riemann, Lena
  • Köhler, Josephine
  • Weber, Norbert

Abstract

This Special Issue presents a collection of current research contributions that examine the role of communication in the context of forest policy in Germany. Against the backdrop of increasing pressures on forests and evolving governance structures, the nine research articles and two commentaries included highlight how communication acts as both a shaping force and a strategic tool in the policy process. The contributions cover a range of empirical settings, including digital media, professional education, and deliberative fora, thereby offering multi-faceted insights into how communication practices vary across institutional, regional, and thematic contexts. By focusing on Germany, characterized by a federal structure and pluralistic democratic context, this volume offers a unique opportunity to explore how forest-related communication varies across political, ecological, and institutional settings, providing nuanced insights into the dynamics of forest policy and public discourse in a complex governance landscape. In doing so, it seeks to inform both academic discourse and practical approaches to communication in forest governance.

Suggested Citation

  • Liebal, Sandra & Riemann, Lena & Köhler, Josephine & Weber, Norbert, 2025. "Forests are more than trees and communication is more than words: Inter- and transdisciplinary research about effective multi-stakeholder communication in Germany," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:178:y:2025:i:c:s1389934125001418
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2025.103562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mack, Philipp & Wallin, Ida & Zwickel, Mariella Susann & Pfistner, Jonas & König, Lena & Kleinschmit, Daniela, 2025. "Calling into the void? German forest dieback 2.0 debate on Twitter. A case study to operationalize the analysis of discursive power in hybrid media systems," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
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    4. Brietzke, Anna S. & Schramm, Engelbert & Heß, Katharina & Hummel, Diana & Kreß-Ludwig, Michael & Lüdtke, Deike U., 2025. "A social-ecological approach to local forest conflict analysis and shaping," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
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    11. Riedl, Marcel & Hrib, Michal & Jarský, Vilém & Jarkovská, Martina, 2018. "Media analysis in a case study of Šumava National Park: A permanent dispute among interest groups," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 71-79.
    12. Liebal, Sandra & Köhler, Josephine & Weber, Norbert, 2025. "Forest condition and forest restoration as topics of online communication – An analysis of website performance of selected forest actors in Germany," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    13. Borrass, Lars & Kleinschmit, Daniela & Winkel, Georg, 2017. "The “German model” of integrative multifunctional forest management—Analysing the emergence and political evolution of a forest management concept," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 16-23.
    14. Mylek, Melinda R. & Schirmer, Jacki, 2020. "Understanding acceptability of fuel management to reduce wildfire risk: Informing communication through understanding complexity of thinking," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    15. Edwards, Peter & Brukas, Vilis & Brukas, Algirdas & Hoogstra-Klein, Marjanke & Secco, Laura & Kleinschmit, Daniela, 2022. "Development of forest discourses across Europe: A longitudinal perspective," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    16. Cichecki, Diana & Weinbrenner, Hannes & Bethmann, Stephanie, 2025. "Becoming a forester. Exploring forest management students' habitus in the making," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    17. Pregernig, Michael, 2000. "Putting science into practice: the diffusion of scientific knowledge exemplified by the Austrian `Research Initiative Against Forest Decline'," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 1(2), pages 165-176, August.
    18. Riemann, Lena, 2025. "Effective communication about forests and trees: An analytical framework for communication among segmented audiences," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    19. Mäder, Alexander & Bachinger, Monika & Ziermann, Andreas & Harprecht, Patricia & Kromrey, Volker & Schlemmer, Franziska, 2025. "Social media, deliberative communication and conflict management: Reflections based on the example case of Freiburg Im Breisgau (Germany)," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    20. Wilkes-Allemann, Jerylee & Deuffic, Philippe & Jandl, Robert & Westin, Kerstin & Lieberherr, Eva & Foldal, Cecilie & Lidestav, Gun & Weiss, Gerhard & Zabel, Astrid & Živojinović, Ivana & Pecurul-Botin, 2021. "Communication campaigns to engage (non-traditional) forest owners: A European perspective," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    21. John, Manuel & Wirth, Kristina & Kaufmann, Anna & Ertelt, Hannah & Frei, Theresa, 2024. "Forest deliberations: Marteloscopes as sites of encounter between climate activists and forest managers," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    22. Nousiainen, Daniela & Mola-Yudego, Blas, 2022. "Characteristics and emerging patterns of forest conflicts in Europe - What can they tell us?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    23. Mack, Philipp & Kremer, Jakob & Kleinschmit, Daniela, 2023. "Forest dieback reframed and revisited? Forests (re)negotiated in the German media between forestry and nature conservation," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    24. Ranacher, L. & Lähtinen, K. & Järvinen, E. & Toppinen, A., 2017. "Perceptions of the general public on forest sector responsibility: A survey related to ecosystem services and forest sector business impacts in four European countries," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 180-189.
    25. Hertog, Iris Maria & Brogaard, Sara, 2021. "Struggling for an ideal dialogue. An analysis of the regional dialogue processes within Sweden's first National Forest Program," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    26. Köhler, Josephine & Liebal, Sandra & Weber, Norbert, 2025. "Framing forest dieback since 2018 and relating forest restoration: An analysis of the direct communication of forest policy actors in Germany," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    27. Hogl, Karl, 2000. "The Austrian domestic forest policy community in change? Impacts of the globalisation and Europeanisation of forest politics," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 3-13, May.
    28. Graves, Rose A. & Nielsen-Pincus, Max & Haugo, Ryan D. & Holz, Andrés, 2022. "Forest carbon incentive programs for non-industrial private forests in Oregon (USA): Impacts of program design on willingness to enroll and landscape-scale program outcomes," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
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    30. Wagner, Leonie & Miederhoff, Franziska, 2025. "Forest disturbances change psychological ownership among traditional private forest owners in North Rhine Westphalia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    31. Häublein, Sabeth & Granzow, Tanja, 2024. "The forest-water-nexus: A narrative construction of the (ir-)relevance of cooperation," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    32. Nijamdeen, Thanne Walawwe Gedera Fathima Mafaziya & Peruzzo, Sofia & Kodikara, Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda & Ratsimbazafy, Hajaniaina Andrianavalonarivo & Nijamdeen, Thenne Walawe Gedhara Fathima As, 2024. "Stakeholder perceptions in mangrove management in the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
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