18th International Boreal Forest Research Association Conference
Our Boreal Our Future: The Science, Policy and Practice of Addressing Change
June 5‐9 2017, Bangor, Maine, USA
Conference Announcement and Call for Abstracts 2017ibfra.org
Call for Abstracts The submission process for contributed abstracts is now open. The deadline for submission is January 22, 2017 with speakers and presenters being informed of acceptance by March 10, 2017. Accepted abstracts will be assigned to the most appropriate theme and session. Please visit the conference website to submit an abstract or for additional information. We are accepting special session proposals which should include a title, abstract, organizer, and names and suggested titles of constituent talks (if applicable) of proposed special sessions. In addition, the type of proposed special session should be indicated. The following formats will be considered: panels, research sessions, open discussions for science missions, and short workshops. The special session proposals can be sent to the Head of the Scientific Committee, Christopher Woodall (
[email protected]) prior to January 1, 2017.
Registration is expected to be opened by December 1, 2017.
The Conference The boreal forest is the world’s largest terrestrial biome, covering 8% of the world’s land surface and comprising 29% of the world’s forest cover. The boreal forest serves an important role in the global carbon cycle, provides significant economic and social benefits to many nations, provides important habitat for plant and animal species, and still contains large areas that remain free of direct human disturbance. Climate and other environmental changes in combination with increasing resource development will lead to significant changes to this forest. The implications for policy, both within the boreal zone and globally, are enormous. The key to developing appropriate and effective policy responses to emerging challenges in the boreal region is having access to knowledge with a sound scientific basis. The 18th international conference of the International Boreal Forest Research Association hopes to develop such a basis and is being hosted by the USDA Forest Service and the University of Maine in Bangor, Maine, USA. Invited keynote speakers, scientific sessions (oral and poster) and panel discussions will explore new scientific findings and their linkages with policy relating to the addressing change in the boreal. Designed to engage and inform scientists, resource managers and policy makers, the conference themes will address the current and emerging challenges for the boreal, the role of science in addressing those challenges and the links between science, policy and practice.
Organized and sponsored by:
Proposed Conference Topics Confluence of Policy and Science
Ecosystem Modeling
How can practical policies be developed in the context of emerging science and ecosystem/social attributes of boreal forests?
Emerging research that explores future trajectories in terms of productivity and resilience with policy implications
Monitoring/Biometrics
Engaging Communities
Emerging remote sensing technologies especially as it pertains to these remote forest ecosystems (e.g., Landsat, LiDAR, TLS, or drones)
The practice of engaging communities to empower adaptation and improve sustainable management of boreal forest resources will be explored
Carbon Science & climate impact of boreal forest management
The Future Forest Sector
As these forests contain tremendous stores of carbon, refining our understanding of these carbon pools in the context of climate change is paramount to future trajectories of atmospheric CO2 levels
Mega‐Disturbances The influence of large‐scale droughts, wildfires and pests is expected to increase in boreal forests with stark implications for ecosystem services provided by these forests
Current and Adaptive Forest Management Current management practices will be examined in the context of future adaptive practices that may mitigate the negative impacts of climate change
The potential of the forest industry in the future boreal forest
Risks and Uncertainties in Boreal Forests What is the role of the boreal forest in the global landscape and what risks and uncertainties are associated with these particular systems?
Forest Biodiversity Consideration of the full suite of boreal species especially those at risk in addition to the conservation and protection of unique boreal features
Pre‐Conference Field Trip
Mid‐Conference Field Trip
Day‐long tour of Acadia National Park along the seacoast of Maine with an emphasis on the natural history of the region (https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm)
A day‐long tour of research sites and natural history areas of interest. Tentatively includes Howland Flux Site, Penobscot Experimental Forest, and the University of Maine Materials Lab.
Conference Location, Facilities, and Lodging The conference will be take place in Bangor, Maine, USA which stands at the edge of the great northern forests of northern Maine with easy access from major eastern USA airports. The conference will be held at the new “Cross Center” located immediately next to conference accommodations…an easy walk from restaurants and entertainment in downtown Bangor.
General Meeting Agenda Day 1, Sunday Day 2, Monday Day 3, Tuesday
8:00‐10:00
10:00‐10:30 10:30‐12:00 12:00‐ 13:30
15:30‐16:00
16:00‐ 17:30
Travel Day Travel Day/Acadia National Park Tour/Evening Registration Keynote/Panel Morning Concurrent Lunch on Concurren Afternoon 1 Break/Poster Session 1 your Own t Session 2 Break/Poster Viewing Viewing In Conference Field Tour
Day 4, Wednesday Keynote/Panel Morning Concurrent Day 5, 2 Break/Poster Session 4 Thursday Day 6, Friday
13:30‐ 15:30
Concurrent Session 7
Viewing Morning Break
Concurrent Session 8
Lunch on your Own Close Meeting
Concurren Afternoon t Session 5 Break/Poster Viewing
Concurrent Session 3
Concurrent Session 6
About the International Boreal Forest Research Association IBFRA (ibfra.org) was formed in 1991 with the mission to promote and co‐ordinate research related to boreal forests. The objectives of IBFRA are to: Contribute to the sustainable development of boreal forests by promoting and coordinating fundamental and applied research and relevant activities relating to forest ecosystems, forest management, forest products and all forms of forest use within the boreal zone; 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; 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.
