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,It was 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.
,Hopefully 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. ,
, Conference Objectives
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,During the Conference, Susan Conard, USDA Forest Service was elected to take over the presidency for IBFRA. She is succeding the former President Jan-Erik Hällgren Faculty of Forest Science, SLU Sweden.,
,History of IBFRA
,The International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) was formed in 1991 with the mission 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.”
The impetus for the formation of IBFRA was the ”White Sea Declaration,” which was drafted at an International Field Expedition to Arkhangelsk Russia in 1990 at which the unique environmental and ecological factors of the region were discussed.
Since its 1991 Founding Meeting in the Ukraine IBFRA has held well attended International Science Conferences:
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The conferences have focused on issues of global concern, such as global change, biodiversity, climate change, disturbances and the global carbon cycle, as well as on issues requiring increased coordination within the boreal community such as classification, inventory and monitoring. All conferences have directly or indirectly contributed to an increased understanding of the science supporting sustainable development in the circumpolar region.
Right now IBFRA:s work is very important, as we all are struggling with the implications of Climate Change and the need for Carbon mitigation. The boreal forests will be a key factor in that aspect.
The outcome of several of these conferences has been significant contributions to the peer-reviewed literature as special issues of international journal.