Matching a scientific knowledge base with stakeholders' needs: The T10Q project as a case study for forestry

The extent and provenance of the existing global knowledge base were qualified in relation to ten specific questions of priority to forestry research. The ten questions were derived from a participatory exercise; the Top Ten Questions for Forestry research (T10Q) completed in 2008. Analysis of the first-ranked question, relating to invasive species, pests and diseases, revealed a lower than expected volume of published European literature, compared with the other nine questions and overall database figures. Analysing the published scientific literature of relevance to the T10Q demonstrated a novel method of using bibliometrics to link stakeholder priorities with the existing knowledge base to provide a richer picture of the state of scientific evidence available for decision-making.

► Stakeholder participation can produce meaningful high-priority research questions.
► Bibliometric analysis of priority policy topics identifies trends and knowledge gaps.
► European pests and disease research may need to increase in line with global trends.