Between theory and practice: Multifunctionality as a key concept for sustainable forest management? A systematic literature review of multifunctional forest management in Germany, Sweden, and Finland.

The intensification of forest management over the recent decades, in combination with the effects of a warming climate, leaves forestry and forest management with the challenging task of maintaining forest ecosystems’ further abilities to provide ecosystem services. By systematically reviewing peer- reviewed academic literature this study analyzes the concept of multifunctionality and its application in current forest management in Germany, Sweden, and Finland, its role in climate adaptation strategies and its usage in policy documents. The findings show a discrepancy between the theoretical concept of multifunctionality and its practical implementation. Further it shows that climate change adaptation is not a main concern for multifunctional management as of now. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between theory and practice and place an increasing emphasis on climate adaptation for future research on forest ecosystems and their management.