Forests are more than trees and communication is more than words: Inter- and transdisciplinary research about effective multi-stakeholder communication in Germany

This Special Issue presents a collection of current research contributions that examine the role of communication in the context of forest policy in Germany. Against the backdrop of increasing pressures on forests and evolving governance structures, the nine research articles and two commentaries included highlight how communication acts as both a shaping force and a strategic tool in the policy process. The contributions cover a range of empirical settings, including digital media, professional education, and deliberative fora, thereby offering multi-faceted insights into how communication practices vary across institutional, regional, and thematic contexts. By focusing on Germany, characterized by a federal structure and pluralistic democratic context, this volume offers a unique opportunity to explore how forest-related communication varies across political, ecological, and institutional settings, providing nuanced insights into the dynamics of forest policy and public discourse in a complex governance landscape. In doing so, it seeks to inform both academic discourse and practical approaches to communication in forest governance.

In our editorial, we outline how communication influences and constitutes the different stages of the policy-making process. As such, we illustrate how discourses, framing processes, and media performance influence e.g. agenda setting, policy formulation, and public engagement. Furthermore, we highlight the relevance of communication for participatory governance, stakeholder interaction, and the negotiation of societal expectations concerning forests and forestry. By pointing out that communication is linked to each stage of the policy cycle, this editorial contributes to a differentiated understanding of the functions and challenges of forest-related communication in policy processes.