RETECHFOR Forest Data Platform
Web Content for the RETECHFOR Forest Data Hub
AIR Institute
Department of the Environment, Housing, and Land Use Planning (Regional Government of Castile and León)
A federated platform for sharing and utilizing forest data in a secure, sovereign, and interoperable manner
What is it and what is it used for?
The RETECHFOR Forest Data Space is a federated infrastructure developed based on the specifications of the International Data Spaces Association and Gaia-X, and adapted to the needs of the forestry sector in Castile and León. It allows government agencies, research centers, and companies to publish, locate, share, and utilize data without losing control over it. Each organization can define who has access to its information, for what purpose, and under what conditions. The platform includes data catalogs, identity management, usage policies, agreement negotiation, secure data transfers, traceability, geospatial visualization, and optional artificial intelligence capabilities. It serves as the common technological foundation for the RETECHFOR project’s data space.
The problem it solves
Forest data in Castile and León is scattered across various public agencies, research centers, companies, and information systems that use different formats and models. This fragmentation creates silos, hinders joint analysis, and limits the reuse of information. Furthermore, there was no common infrastructure that would allow data to be shared among organizations while maintaining control over who can use it, for what purpose, and for how long. The RETECHFOR Forest Data Hub connects these sources within a governed, secure, interoperable, and auditable environment, facilitating data-driven forest management.
"Ashared space for exchanging forestry data securely, reliably, and with control."
What makes it innovative?
A federated space that preserves sovereignty and control over data
Unlike a centralized repository, the RETECHFOR Forest Data Space allows each participant to retain their data and decide how, with whom, and under what conditions it is shared. The platform combines digital identity, usage policies, agreement negotiation, secure transfers, and verifiable traceability. Its adaptation to the forestry sector includes interoperability with government systems, metadata publication in accordance with DCAT-AP-ES, geospatial information visualization, data processing through intermediary applications, and optional artificial intelligence capabilities. All of this is managed through a visual interface that facilitates the onboarding of new participants, sources, and services.
Expected impact
The RETECHFOR Forest Data Space will help reduce information silos and the effort required to connect systems and reuse data. It will facilitate collaboration among government agencies, companies, and research centers, improve access to high-quality forestry information, and promote more informed decision-making. The integration of geospatial data, administrative sources, and data processing applications will help improve land management, prevent environmental risks, and develop new services. The platform also creates a common technological foundation to drive digitization, innovation, and the forest bioeconomy in Castile and León.
