In the heart of the Basque Country, innovation and sustainability are coming together in the form of a unique forestry training tool: the Arronategi Martelloscope. Recently introduced by the Neiker Technology Center, this forest school located in Bermeo allows forestry professionals, students, and environmental planners to simulate forest management decisions, without cutting a single tree.
A forest from which one can learn without changing
The term martelloscope might sound technical, but the concept is both practical and groundbreaking. It refers to a specially designed forest plot where every tree is mapped, measured, and digitally catalogued. At the Arronategi Martelloscope, this setup allows users to virtually test different forest management strategies—such as thinning, harvesting, or biodiversity conservation—without physically altering the landscape. By simulating these interventions, users can observe potential ecological impacts, economic outcomes, and biodiversity effects. It’s a powerful tool that helps bridge the gap between theory and practice in sustainable forest management.
The Arronategi Martelloscope, a forestry school in Bermeo that enables the simulation of various forest management techniques without physically altering the ecology, was introduced by the Neiker Technology Center. This innovative tool in the Basque Country combines sustainable wood production with biodiversity protection to enable well-informed decision-making in natural resource management.
A harmony between protection and production
What makes the Arronategi Martelloscope especially relevant is its focus on balancing sustainable wood production with biodiversity conservation. In many forestry scenarios, these two goals can be seen as competing interests. However, with this digital forest tool, users can experiment with strategies that enhance both environmental health and resource productivity. From forestry students learning best practices to seasoned professionals analysing forest dynamics, this tool helps all stakeholders make informed, data-driven decisions about natural resource management.
The Basque Country’s First
Developed by Neiker, a leading R&D center focused on agricultural innovation in the Basque region, the Arronategi Martelloscope is part of a growing global network of such tools. However, it is one of the first of its kind in the Basque Country, marking a significant step forward in local environmental education and forest stewardship. By integrating innovative technology with ecological understanding, Neiker is helping to build a more resilient, informed, and sustainable approach to forestry—one that respects both nature and the needs of society.
The Bermeo City Council donated the plot, which is situated in Public Utility Forest 47 and contains a thorough inventory of geolocated trees that have been measured and assessed for ecological value and quality. Professionals and students can examine the ecological and financial effects of various forestry treatments using simulation software, which allows for safe, hands-on learning. The European Life Urbaso project, which focuses on using natural methods to guarantee the amount and quality of drinking water, includes the Martelloscope. This framework encourages the use of more natural forestry approaches, as those outlined in Neiker’s Silvicultura Pro Silva guidebook, which was published in Basque.
The Martelloscope is the first facility in the Basque Country to join the global Integrate+ network, which is being promoted by the European Forest Institute (EFI), in addition to its research role. By encouraging the sharing of best practices and experiences among nations, this network supports the coexistence of biodiversity conservation and productive forest management.
Students from the Advanced Degree in Forestry and Natural Environment Management from the agricultural schools of Derio and Fraisoro have participated in the project, strengthening its teaching component. These students have already finished hands-on activities utilsing the Martelloscope. As a result, the tool is positioned as a vital teaching tool for upcoming forest managers. The project also fits with the goals of Euskobasoa 2050, the R&D&I Plan for Basque Country forest improvement, which Neiker has been working on since 2019 with the Basque Government’s help. Through knowledge transfer and applied research, this approach aims to develop the forestry and wood sector in the area.
Why is it essential?
In a time of deforestation, climate change, and increased demand for natural resources, instruments like as the Arronategi Martelloscope provide encouraging answers. They offer a cutting-edge environment where action and knowledge may coexist, educating the next generation of forest managers to save the globe, tree by tree.
More interesting topics are available here: WOODWORD
For industrial insights, go through: sustainability, forestry, R&D, technology, software
