Development of a decision-making tool to manage forest storm damage in the Walloon Region (Belgium)

When an unexpected windthrow event occurs, the extent of damage may rapidly increase to reach a crisis level. Therefore, it requires a suitable and fast reaction by the public authorities and the concerned owners as well as by the whole sector of wood transformation. The aim of this research, which is a regional priority, relates to the realization of a decision-making tool thought not under the constraint of the urgency, when trees are lying down on the ground, but established on the basis of real dramatic cases already experienced in the past. The tool is dedicated to political and administrative services but, to be effective, calls upon a broad collaboration with all the partners of the wood sector.