2021 IBFRA conference : goals

Background

The boreal forest, which is the second most extensive terrestrial biome on earth, is experiencing environmental changes at rates that are unprecedented in the 10,000 yr history of the current biome. Rising temperature at rates much higher than global averages and changes in precipitation regimes are affecting disturbance characteristics (e.g. increasing wildfire frequency and intensity), introducing novel disturbances (e.g. northward migration of pests and pathogens), or increasing disturbance interactions (e.g. wildfire and insect outbreak succession). 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 are relying on these ecosystems for subsistence living, cultural practices, economic development or climate stability, at local to biome levels. While important progresses have been made in better understanding some of the causal links among environmental changes and their implications for boreal ecosystems, there remains a critical need for building an integrated understanding of the resilience and vulnerability of the boreal biome at the regional and global scale. This integrated understanding of projected changes, resilience, vulnerabilities and anticipated socio-economic consequences is the scientific foundation for the development of local, national and international policies that will ensure the maintenance and promotion of the multiple, critical services provided by the boreal biome to society.

Objectives

The objectives of the 2020 IBFRA Conference are:

• Present and discuss the current scientific understanding on the vulnerability and resilience of the boreal biome to climate change, associated emerging trajectories and the socio-economic implications.

• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations for an integrative understanding of the boreal biome.

• Strengthen the dialogue between scientists and the stakeholders of the boreal biome, from politics to indigenous communities, representatives of the wood industry and civil society.

• Inspiring new research and policy development to ensure efficient adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change, in the boreal region.

Who Should Attend?

• Researchers and students in or outside academia,

• Natural resource managers and representatives of the forest, wood and energy industry,

• Representatives of indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations, government and policy advisors, and anyone interested in the implications of climate-disturbance interactions in the boreal region.