Esperense network

ESPERENSE network

Coordination: CNPF

Partners: CNPF, INRAE, ONF, FCBA

Experimental sites located in metropolitan France.

ESPERENSE is a multi-partner network aimed at testing alternative tree species to those currently under threat by climate change.

The Consortium consists of four founding members (CNPF, INRAE, FCBA, ONF) and associate members (development groups, cooperatives, etc.) that are primarily forestry organisations capable of setting up and monitoring field trials over time. The network governance is managed under a consortium agreement signed by the partners.

The Network features three types of trial designs: elimination trials (over 20 species evaluated, 16-tree plots, 3 blocks), performance trials (over 4 species evaluated, 252-tree plots, 1 block), and "islands of the future" trial (a single species). The latter does not fall within the IN-SYLVA France experimental framework. A detailed experimental protocol has been designed for all three types of trial design.

To guide the choice of species to be evaluated, a dated list of species is regularly updated.

To help prioritise the implementation of field trials, high-stakes zones (high production x proven climate risk) have been defined. Similarly, trial pairings can be established based on climate analogues.

The general results of the network's trials will be ultimately accessible on the ESPERENSE website (under construction).

The ESPERENSE network can offer the following services:

- experimental metadata from the network's trials,

- raw trial data obtained by the network's experimenters,

- access to trial sites for visits,

- access to trial sites for specific measurements and/or observations.

The staff involved are mainly those from member organisations who set up and monitor the tree species trials.

The access unit is the field test site. The cost depends on the request.