¡¡ Organized and hosted by Northeast Forestry University (NEFU)

¡¡ What's New

Background     

     As one of the largest terrestrial biome in the world, the boreal forest plays an important role in the social, economic and cultural development of northern countries by providing multiple uses. It has experienced radical changes in climate, vegetation and fauna during its relatively short evolution history. Particularly, the ongoing global warming which is exerting a significant impact on boreal forest biome, such as permafrost melting, changes in phenology and growth of vegetation, increased wildfire and insect disturbances, and changes in wildlife population and migration. These consequences directly or indirectly influence the sustainable development of these regions.
     The International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) was formed in 1991 to meet the ecological and environmental challenges currently confronted by the boreal regions. Its mission is to "promote and co-ordinate research to increase the understanding of the role of the circumpolar boreal forest in the global environment and the effects of environmental change upon that role." Since its creation, the IBFRA has held well attended international scientific conferences every two years globally. It is the first time for the IBFRA to hold an international scientific conference in Asia. Past conferences have focused on such critical issues as global change, biodiversity, climate change, disturbances and the global carbon cycle, making a significant contribution to the sustainable development of boreal regions.
     Northeast China possesses a huge forest resources, accounting for 1/3 of the forest area and standing volume in all of China. The forest plays an important role in the forestry, ecology, and environment here in China and globally. The 14th IBFRA conference in Harbin, China, will be of significance in promoting scientific research, sustainable development and international cooperation on boreal forestry and ecological research. 

Objectives

     ¡ñ To present the current understanding of boreal forest ecology and management,
         advances in research methodologies in the boreal regions.
     ¡ñ To discuss crucial ecological and environmental issues and strategies
         regarding resource conservation, global change, biodiversity, climate change,
         disturbances, carbon cycling, social-economic-ecological development.
     ¡ñ To bring a circumpolar perspective to research initiatives, and enhance collaboration and
         exchange among countries or regions in the boreal forest.

      The conference is a major international gathering of scientists whose studies address various issues in the boreal forest. We warmly welcome you to visit Harbin in 2008!