Digitalisation of forests overlook important values

When data on forests is primarily collected and controlled by large commercial actors, the representations produced tend to reflect their interests. But when more knowledge and perspectives are given space in the systems, the results also change.

Satellites, sensors and apps are increasingly used to monitor and manage natural environments. But what happens when nature is translated into data within a research field that has primarily studied digital technology in organizations and business processes rather than in nature?

In her doctoral thesis in information systems, Malaika Torto, examines what happens when natural environments become data, based on several years of studies of digitalization projects in the Swedish forest industry.

” Information systems research has traditionally focused on companies and organizations, where processes are relatively stable and defined. When the same logic is applied to nature, a mismatch occurs, because natural envorinments behave in very different ways from the human-made environments we usually study. Forests, for example, are more dynamic, change with the seasons, involve complex ecological relationships and hold different meanings for different people," says Malaika Torto.

Data shapes the image of the forest

The thesis shows that digitalisation in practice is shaped by a series of concrete choices: what is measured, how it is measured and by whom. These choices in turn determine how the forest appears in digital systems. When data is collected primarily for commercial purposes, certain aspects tend to become visible, while others are left invisible.

"Data is often perceived as something neutral that simply existes. But in reality, it is the result of many decisions. In the projects I followed, the focus was often on optimising production, which meant that things like timber volume and wood quality were prioritised, while other values were simply not measured," says Malaika Torto.

The use of self-learning computer programs that interact with sensors on forestry machines is increasing in the forestry industry.

ImageImage’in/Adobe Stock

The consequence is that the complexity of nature is reduced. Forests are not only raw material resources, but also ecological systems and cultural landscapes. They change over time, support biodiversity and have different significance for different groups – from the forest industry to outdoor recreation and Sami communities.

This becomes particulary clear in digital representations such as maps and visualizations. The thesis analyzes, among other things, the use of LiDAR technology, which can create highly detailed images of vegetation and terrain.

”The maps may be technologically advanced and highly accurate in their field, but they only show what they are designed to show. If the starting point is commercial values, you see a certain kind of forest. If, instead, ecological or cultural perspectivesare are used, a completely different picture emerges. So it's not just about technology, but also about selection," says Malaika Torto.

The research shows that these choices are also linked to questions of influence. Different actors have different interests in how the forest is defined and represented.

”When certain perspectives dominate data collection, others become invisible. This may involve biodiversity that is not captured, or the use of land by Sámi communities that does not appear on maps. In this way, digitalisation affects not only how we describe nature, but also which decisions seem reasonable,” says Malaika.

Who decides what becomes visible in the systems?

At the same time, the study indicates that alternative approaches are possible. When more actors are involved in how data is collected and used – such as environmental organisations or Sami communities – the picture becomes more nuanced.

”When data on forests is primarily collected and controlled by large commercial actors, the representations produced tend to reflect their

Drones are used for tasks including surveying, planning, monitoring, and managing storm damage.

ImageImage’in/Adobe Stock

interests. But when more knowledge and perspectives are given space in the systems, the results also change. Then the same forest can include information about production, biodiversity and cultural use, making the representations both richer and more legitimate," says Malaika.

Digitalisation of natural environments is not only a technical issue, but also a social and political process. The tension between commercially driven and more inclusive approaches to digitalisation is fundamentally about power. The choices made today therefore have long-term consequences.

”The key is to build inclusion from the start. Otherwise, we risk creating digital systems that provide too narrow a picture of nature and thus also affect how it is managed in the future," says Malaika Torto.

Link to the thesis