16 August 2021 - 20 August 2021
Online
IBFRA 2021: Changing Boreal Biome
The boreal forest, the second most extensive terrestrial biome on earth, is experiencing environmental changes at rates that are unprecedented. While some ecosystems may be resilient to these changes, many are shifting to new ecological states, affecting ecosystem structure and functions and the people who rely on them. This year the International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) conference aims to foster interdisciplinary collaborations to build an integrated understanding of the resilience and vulnerability of the boreal biome at the regional and global scale.
The program includes panel and plenary sessions, keynotes and poster sessions, art exhibits as well as virtual spaces for impactful networking opportunities. As an example: the session "Public policy and boreal science - why do we need to work together?" will explore a recent approach involving IBFRA, a number of boreal governments, and a new science-policy forum devoted to the boreal regions.
Through a diverse program the conference will explore current scientific understanding on the vulnerability and resilience of the boreal biome to climate change, associated emerging trajectories, and socio-economic implications. In addition to examining new research, the conference will also highlight policy developments which are necessary to ensure efficient adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change in the boreal region.
Scientists, managers, policy makers, and members of civil society working in the boreal regions of the world are invited to join IBFRA 2021 and share their insights and experiences with an international, interdisciplinary, and multi-cultural community. Students and early carrier scientists are encouraged to participate, present their research and disseminate their knowledge.
IIASA participation:
Anatoly Shvidenko: convenor of session on 'Carbon budget of boreal forests – past, current, future' and presentation on 'An attempt of systems reanalysis of carbon cycling of Russia’s forest ecosystems' and panel participant in the ECE/FAO event on 'The science and policy of wildfires in the boreal biome'
Andrey Krasovskiy: presentation on 'A comparative database for analyzing wildfire dynamics in Sweden and Finland over 2001-2018'
Dmitry Schepaschenko: organizer of the session 'Forest properties and carbon cycle studies from earth observations'
Florian Kraxner: Welcome keynote speech as IBFRA president, sessions moderator, panel discussions contributor
Myroslava Lesiv: presentation on 'Mapping forest management intensity at global scale'
Reinis Cimdins: presentation on 'Burned area, weather, landscape and socioeconomic spatial interaction analysis in Sweden'
This event will take place on Zoom, please register to participate.
The last IBFRA conference in 2018 took place at IIASA. See here for more details: www.ibfra18.org/
International Boreal Forest Reserach Association (IBFRA)
IBFRA was formed in 1991 with the goal of promoing and coordinating research related to boreal forests to increase understanding of the role of the circumpolar boreal forest in the global environment and the effects of environmental change upon that role. Objectives are to contribute to the sustainable development of boreal forests by promoting and coordinating fundamental and applied research and relevant activities related to forest ecosystems, forest management, forest products, and all forms of forest use within the boreal zone. Also, to promote and coordinate research to increase understanding of the role of boreal forest ecosystems in the global environment and the effects of environmental change on that role. Finally, to promote the dissemination of research results and transfer of new technology and the adoption of new methods of forest utilization, planning and social organization, with a view to ensuring sustainable development and preservation of boreal forest ecosystems.
Florian Kraxner from IIASA (BNR/AFE) currently holds the IBFRA presidency.
IBFRA 21 Program
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