Scientific Seminar

'The Role of Forestry in Integrated Environmental Assessments'

Background

Forest management and forest management goals in Europe are not solely determined by the forestry sector anymore. The sector’s role is diminishing as the variety of demands on forests is increasing. These demands are outspoken by an urbanised society, by NGOs, and by e.g. Ministries of Environment. This results in more integrated views on land use, where forests are only one form of land use, but must still fulfil its various roles. At the same time, forest ownership is highly fragmented, owners do not depend on the forest for their income, and the industry is not able to pay higher stumpage. The latter trends strengthen the aforementioned and lead to an industry glancing at the resources in the European part of Russia .

Thus, the forests as such and its role as natural resource do not seem to be valued anymore, but only its role in e.g. Natura2000 networks, its biodiversity and aesthetic values, its climate change mitigation functions, and its role as one slowly adapting conservative player in integrated land use views. The forest scenario modelling tools and forest sector models have stayed behind in these developments.

The aim of this seminar is to look at state-of-the-art integrated environmental assessments - what do they encompass, what are the gains and setbacks- and the role of forests and forestry in these. We will look at why the role of the sector is diminishing, how the communication from integrated land use and environmental assessments is done, and how and where the sector can take new opportunities and find new roles.

The seminar is arranged in connection to the EFI 2006 Annual Conference and it is open to all interested.

Language

The language of the event is English. No interpretation is arranged.