13th Conference of the International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA)
13thConference of the International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA)
28-30August 2006, Umeå, Sweden
Background
The boreal forest, the second most extensive terrestrial biome on earth,constitute roughly one-third of the global forested areas (1.4 billion ha). The utilization of the wood resource from the boreal forests has historically played a vital economical role in the development of societies in the countries of the boreal zone. Even today many boreal countries have economies heavily dependent on their forest sectors. At the same time boreal forests are increasingly becoming a high-profile topic on the international political agenda. Many areas in the boreal zone are seen as virgin untouched old-growth forests which are extremely important to have preserved. The ecological importance is highly valued and the understanding of the biotic and abiotic characteristics of the dynamics in the boreal forests is a necessary condition for determining the potential for sustainable development of these forests. In order to achieves stainablilty, a number of ecological factors contributing to sustainability such as some of the themes of this conference must be considered in any future management system.
How do we achieve a sustainable boreal forest management? This is the central question to be addressed in this 13th International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA)conference.
Objectives for the 13th IBFRA conference
The conference in Umeå will deal with management of boreal forests, and beside results from research also present and discuss practical aspects, problems and possible solutions. The objective is to enable time for discussions and exchange of information in working groups. The conference will cover a broad spectrum, from history to the new challenges we meet in the future. Our hope is that Umeå will be a place where research and good practise will meet, present, and discuss new ideas and solutions to problems. We will aim to learn from each other to achieve a sustainable management of the boreal forest in the future.
The topics of the conference are selected to cover several different aspects of how the borealforest ecosystem is affected by climate and changes in climate. The presentations will deal with management that can help us to achieve an economic,ecological and cultural sustainable utilization of the boreal forest resource.We anticipate many valuable and interesting contributions from different regions and sectors all over the circumpolar area during the conference.
The topics of the congress will also be illustrated in situ during the excursions, where research sites will be visited and sites where forest management of today is demonstrated. The topical sessions include (among other):
Fire Management
Forest fires are, or have been, a major feature throughout most of the boreal. The fundamental principles of fire behaviour and fire effects on forest ecosystems may be universal, but the concept of Fire management will mean very different things in different parts of the boreal. Some regions face desperate efforts at reducing area burned whereas in other regions the focus is on implanting prescribed fires to solve biodiversity issues. To this comes the uncertainty of climate change, where fire may act as a catalyst. This theme will bring together researchers and managers with different perspectives, to discuss future prospects and limitations of fire management.
For inputs to the general Wildland Fire Theme please contact IBFRA Conference Wildland Fire Session Chair:
Anders Granström, Department of Forest Vegetation Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Anders.Granstrom@svek.slu.se
Joint IBFRA-IUFROWildland Fire Meeting
This is to announce a co-sponsored meeting to take place on 29 August 2006 in Umeå, Sweden, of the IBFRA Wildland Fire Working Group and the International Union of Forest Research Organization (IUFRO) Forest Fire Research Unit. The aim of this meeting is to:
- Identify on-going international wildland fire research projects and their results,
- Identify future needs in wildland fire research,
- Provide a forum where wildland fire researchers can meet and foster new relationships in international collaboration, and
- Support the fire tour (26-27 August 2006) and fire management discussions of the 13th IBFRA Conference.
Those interested in presenting an oral presentation for this working group meeting should submit a 200-word abstract in English by 30 June 2006 to:
Douglas McRae, IBFRA Wildland Fire Working Group Chair
DMcRae@nrcan.gc.ca
Further information can be obtained by Bill deGroot, IUFRO Forest Fire Research Working Unit Chair
Host institution and Conference Contact
Faculty of Forest Sciences
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Skogsmarksgränd
SE-901 83 Umeå
For more information, including deadlines for abstracts and registration, please see:
Note:
The International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) is a co-sponsor of UN-ECE/FAO International Forest Fire News (IFFN)
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