Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt

What Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt does

Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt (NW-FVA) is a joint public research and consulting institution (Gemeinsame Behörde) of four German federal states: Hessen, Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein. Headquartered in Göttingen with a satellite office in Hann. Münden, the organization provides forestry research, advisory services, environmental monitoring, forest protection diagnostics, and decision-support tools to state forestry agencies (Landesforstbetriebe), forest owners, and forestry practitioners across its four member states. It operates departments covering forest growth (Waldwachstum), forest protection (Waldschutz), environmental monitoring (Umweltkontrolle), forest genetic resources (Waldgenressourcen), and forest nature conservation (Waldnaturschutz), and is led by Direktor Dr. Ralf-Volker Nagel.

The core product portfolio centers on Java-based forest growth simulation tools built on the open-source TreeGrOSS library (GPLv3): ForestSimulator for individual forest stand analysis with interactive thinning and 3D visualization, and WaldPlaner for large-scale inventory-based scenario planning using Bundeswaldinventur and Betriebsinventur data. These are complemented by three regional BaEm (Baumartenempfehlungen) web portals providing location-specific climate-adapted tree species recommendations for Hessen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein, with a REST API for embedding in external GIS systems. Supporting products include the Waldschutz-Meldeportal (WSMP) forest damage reporting portal, the Erntezulassungsregister (EZR) for forest reproductive material certification, the Herkunftsempfehlungen (HKE) provenance recommendations database, and pest monitoring protocols for pine and oak feeding guilds. Additional offerings include new yield tables (Ertragstafeln, 2025), the Waldentwicklungsziele (WEZ) recommendations for Hessian forests (2nd edition May 2025), and an active carbon inventory program (Kohlenstoffinventur 2027) for Lower Saxony.

NW-FVA operates as a non-commercial public entity funded by its four supporting state governments plus third-party project grants; all software, advisory services, and training are provided free of charge. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on direct institutional relationships with state forestry agencies, training courses, publications (Waldzustandsberichte), conferences, and an open software distribution model. As a Versuchsanstalt owned jointly by four German federal states, NW-FVA has no external investors, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity. The institution is a member of the Deutscher Verband Forstlicher Forschungsanstalten (DVFFA), which links it to parallel German, Austrian, and Swiss forestry research institutions for joint research initiatives and conferences.

Name

Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt

Legal name

Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt

Website

https://nw-fva.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NW-FVA is a joint public forestry research and consulting institution of four German states (Hessen, Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein), delivering scientific research, advisory services, open-source forest simulation software (TreeGrOSS, ForestSimulator, WaldPlaner), and climate-adapted tree species decision-support tools to state forestry agencies and forest owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forestry Research and Advisory Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Timberland Asset Management & Consulting (AFAMAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forest Health Management (Pest, Disease & Invasive Species Control) (AFAMAAAE), Forest Pest, Disease & Invasive Species Control (IMAMAAAI), Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD)

Keywords

• Forestry research
• Forest growth simulation
• Climate-adapted species
• Forest protection advisory
• Environmental monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Göttingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Institutional Funding: NW-FVA is a joint research and consulting institution (Gemeinsame Behörde) of the four German states Hessen, Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein. It operates as a public institution funded by its supporting states, with no commercial revenue model. Services are provided as part of its public mandate.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt (NW-FVA) conducts applied forestry research and provides advisory services, climate-adapted tree species recommendations, and monitoring for the four German federal states of Hessen, Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein. It develops and freely distributes open-source forest growth simulation software (TreeGrOSS, ForestSimulator, WaldPlaner), web-based decision support portals (BaEm), and registry systems for forest reproductive material and damage reporting, serving state forestry agencies and forest owners as a publicly funded joint authority.

Product overview

NW-FVA operates as a multi-state research and consulting institution for forestry across four German states (Hessen, Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein). The core product portfolio centers on three Java-based forest growth simulation tools built on the open-source TreeGrOSS library: ForestSimulator for individual stand analysis and treatment evaluation, WaldPlaner for large-scale inventory-based scenario planning (Bundeswaldinventur), and the foundational TreeGrOSS library for developers. These are complemented by three regional BaEm (Baumartenempfehlungen) web portals providing location-specific climate-adapted tree species recommendations for Hessen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Sachsen-Anhalt, with a REST API for external GIS integration. Additional products include forest damage reporting (WSMP), harvest approval registers (EZR), and provenance recommendations (HKE), plus pest monitoring guidance for pine and oak feeding guilds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BaEm (Baumartenempfehlungen): Climate-adapted tree species recommendation web portal serving Hessen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein.
• TreeGrOSS
• ForestSimulator
• WaldPlaner
• Waldschutz-Meldeportal (WSMP)
• Erntezulassungsregister (EZR)
• Herkunftsempfehlungen (HKE)

Products and services

• TreeGrOSS (Tree Growth Open Source Software) Java-based open source software library (GPLv3) for forest growth simulation and modelling of forestry interventions. Implements an individual-tree approach describing each tree's development using growth-influencing variables including age, crown surface area, crown competition index, and changes through thinning operations; serves as the foundation library for ForestSimulator and WaldPlaner.
• ForestSimulator Java-based forest growth simulator built on TreeGrOSS for analysis and forecasting of individual forest stand development. Includes processes for ingrowth, growth, and mortality, plus an interactive treatment manager for thinning and harvest scheduling, with standard forestry metrics output in tables, graphs, and 3D visualization.
• WaldPlaner Forest development scenario simulator for large sample sizes (Bundeswaldinventur, Betriebsinventur, betriebliche Forsteinrichtung). Uses the TreeGrOSS library for stand growth simulation and generates sustainability indicators from inventory data, comparing different forest development scenarios.
• Waldschutz-Meldeportal (WSMP) Web portal for reporting forest damage, pest infestations, and disease occurrences to NW-FVA for monitoring and response across the four sponsoring states.
• Erntezulassungsregister (EZR) Harvest approval register for forest reproductive material under the Forest Reproductive Material Act (FoVG), managing seed sources and plant material certification for the four sponsoring states.
• Herkunftsempfehlungen (HKE) Provenance recommendations database providing guidance on suitable seed and plant sources for different forest sites, issued by NW-FVA for the four sponsoring states.
• Baumartenempfehlungen (BaEm) – Hessen Web-based decision support system for climate-adapted tree species selection in Hessian municipal and private forests. Provides forest development objectives (WEZ) based on site water balance, nutrient levels, and climate conditions, with interactive maps and recommended stand target types.
• Baumartenempfehlungen (BaEm) – Schleswig-Holstein Web-based decision support for climate-adapted tree species selection in Schleswig-Holstein, providing forest development types (WET) recommendations with risk assessment and interactive maps.
• Baumartenempfehlungen (BaEm) – Sachsen-Anhalt Web-based decision support for climate-adapted tree species selection in Saxony-Anhalt, providing stand target type (BZT) recommendations based on site characteristics, with a REST service available for embedding the recommendations into third-party GIS applications.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hessen-Forst (Hessisches Ministerium für Landwirtschaft und Umwelt, Weinbau, Forsten, Jagd und Heimat)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHessen-Forst is the state forestry agency of Hessen, one of the four states funding NW-FVA. NW-FVA cooperates with Hessen-Forst on research projects including IKSP-Hessen (climate risk maps for Hesse), providing decision support tools and scientific consulting for Hessian forest owners.
• Niedersächsische LandesforstencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState forestry agency of Niedersachsen, one of the four states funding NW-FVA. NW-FVA conducts research and monitoring in Niedersachsen forests and provides advisory services.
• Landesforstbetrieb Sachsen-AnhaltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState forestry agency of Sachsen-Anhalt, one of the four states funding NW-FVA. NW-FVA provides research, tree species recommendations, and genetic resource services for Sachsen-Anhalt.
• Schleswig-Holsteinische LandesforstencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState forestry agency of Schleswig-Holstein, one of the four states funding NW-FVA. NW-FVA provides research and tree species recommendations (BaEm Schleswig-Holstein) for Schleswig-Holstein forests.
• Landeskompetenzzentrum Forst Eberswalde (LFE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated in the DSS-RiskMan project for development of a decision support system for risk assessment in forestry under climate change. LFE contributed as a research partner in the consortium.
• Georg-August-Universität Göttingen - Fakultät für Forstwissenschaften und Waldökologie / Abteilung Forstökonomie und ForsteinrichtungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the DSS-RiskMan project, contributing research on statistics and forest economics. The university provides statistical expertise and forest inventory methods to the consortium.
• Institut für Hydrologie und Wasserwirtschaft (IHW) – Leibniz Universität HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of the OPTALS project on optimal dam system management. Jointly develops water balance and water quality models with NW-FVA for the Harz mountain region.
• Leichtweiss-Institut für Wasserbau, Abteilung Hydrologie und Flussgebietsmanagement (LWI) – Technische Universität BraunschweigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the OPTALS project contributing expertise in water engineering and river basin management for optimal dam system operation.
• Harzwasserwerke GmbH (HWW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the OPTALS project operating the dam system in the Harz mountains. NW-FVA provides geodata and forest monitoring data to support operational dam management under climate change.
• Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung GmbH (ISOE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the OPTALS project contributing socio-ecological research expertise to the water management research consortium.
• Hessischer WaldbesitzerverbandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the IKSP-Hessen project (climate risk maps for Hesse), collaborating with NW-FVA on developing decision support for forest owners in Hesse.
• Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wald und Forstwirtschaft (LWF)minorOthersMember of the Deutscher Verband Forstlicher Forschungsanstalten (DVFFA), the umbrella organization of German forestry research institutions. NW-FVA cooperates with LWF on conferences and research initiatives.
• Bundesforschungs- und Ausbildungszentrum für Wald, Naturgefahren und Landschaft (BFW; Österreich)minorOthersAustrian federal research center for forests, natural hazards, and landscape. Member of DVFFA network and co-organizer of scientific conferences.
• Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft (WSL; Schweiz)minorOthersSwiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research. Member of DVFFA network and co-organizer of scientific conferences.
• Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-Württemberg (FVA)minorOthersForestry research institution of Baden-Württemberg. Member of DVFFA network and co-organizer of scientific conferences including the carbon sequestration tagung 2025.
• Forschungsanstalt für Waldökologie und Forstwirtschaft (FAWF; Rheinland-Pfalz)minorOthersForestry research institution of Rheinland-Pfalz. Member of DVFFA network.
• Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institut (TI)minorOthersFederal research institute for rural areas, forestry, and fisheries. Member of DVFFA network and co-organizer of the carbon sequestration tagung 2025.
• Forstliches Forschungs- und Kompetenzzentrum (FFK Gothra)minorOthersThuringian forestry research and competence center. Member of DVFFA network.
• Niedersächsisches Forstamt RiefensbeekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState forest office in charge of managing the WeltWald Harz arboretum (65 ha). Cooperates with NW-FVA in the WeltWald Zukunft project for scientific inventory and development of the arboretum.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Bundesforschungs- und Ausbildungszentrum für Wald, Naturgefahren und Landschaft (BFW): Austrian federal forest research center. Regional peer operating in German-speaking region with similar mission; DVFFA member and co-organizer of joint conferences.
• Skogforsk: Swedish forestry research institute. Comparable as a state/federally funded forestry research body delivering applied science, decision support tools, and breeder services to commercial forestry.
• Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft (WSL): Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research. Regional peer with overlapping research scope (forest growth, protection, environmental monitoring) and DVFFA network membership.
• Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke): Finnish state research institute covering forestry, natural resources and bioeconomy. Comparable as a publicly funded applied forestry research body with similar advisory and monitoring functions.

Direct peers

• Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-Württemberg (FVA): Forestry research and experiment station of Baden-Württemberg. Direct peer to NW-FVA, also a Versuchsanstalt, DVFFA member, and co-organizer of the 2025 carbon sequestration conference.
• Forstliches Forschungs- und Kompetenzzentrum Gotha (FFK): Thuringian forestry research and competence center. Direct peer in the DVFFA network, providing applied forest research to state forestry operations.
• Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wald und Forstwirtschaft (LWF): State forestry research institution of Bavaria. Directly comparable to NW-FVA as a DVFFA member providing similar research, advisory, and software tools for Bavarian forest owners and agencies.
• Landeskompetenzzentrum Forst Eberswalde (LFE): Forestry competence center for Brandenburg. Direct peer to NW-FVA as a state-level forestry research institution, partnered with NW-FVA on the DSS-RiskMan decision support project.
• Forschungsanstalt für Waldökologie und Forstwirtschaft Rheinland-Pfalz (FAWF): Forestry research institute of Rheinland-Pfalz. Directly comparable as a DVFFA state forestry research institution covering forest growth, protection and environmental monitoring.

Broad incumbents

• Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institut (TI): German federal research institute for rural areas, forestry, and fisheries. Acts as a broader incumbent in forest research; co-organizer of the 2025 carbon sequestration conference and DVFFA member.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt