The science of forest policy addresses the complex relationships between forest, society and forestry. Accordingly, 80 million people, 11 million hectares of forest and approximately 2 million forest owners, and the interactions between these elements, represent the focal point of our studies in Germany.

The economics of forest resources is concerned with the opportunities for and the challenges to cooperation between people for mutual benefit in relation to the forests.

Current research priorities of the chair include examination of the various levels of forest and environmental policy, the informal instruments applied in forest policy (monitoring, assessment, reporting), and the diversification of forest landscapes and their significance for society.