Network for forest by-products charcoal, resin, tar, potash (COST Action EU-PoTaRCh)

Abstract

COST Action EU-PoTaRCh establishes a network focused on the past, present and future use of the major forest by-products in Europe. The Action emphasizes forest by-products, mainly potash, tar, resin, and charcoal (PoTaRCh), as representatives of the traditional heritage of forest exploitation, including extractives used along the time for their specific chemical, biological activity and therapeutic effect. The scientific objective of the Action is to demonstrate the value of these products for the communities and their socio-economic growth, as well as their impact on biodiversity and climate throughout time. The general aim is to identify and assess changes in production and use of PoTaRCh and extractives, along with their social and environmental impacts on sustainable development, and draw lessons for the future based on this legacy. In this way, the Action supports the sustainable use of forests and the transfer of knowledge about circular economy practices, as a contribution to the systemic shift to the new circular bio-economy. A key component of the Action is to support stakeholders that are knowledgeable about PoTaRCh goods and are interested in them because they are used in production, education and promotion of our natural and cultural heritage. The Action meets a wide range of demands thanks to the participation of partners with various activity profiles (museums, state forests, forest industry, tradition bearers associations, tourism industry, etc.). The EU-PoTaRCh Action highlights three COST inclusivity policies: the participation of inclusivity Target Countries with a long history of developing PoTaRCh, a special emphasis on gender balance, and the involvement of young researchers in leadership positions.