Scientific Program: Subthemes

Integrating approaches to achieve multiple goals: Intensive management, extensive management or conservation?

Recent developments in management approaches
New models of forest tenure and management
Achieving a balance between forest management and forest preservation
Models for forest management — Natural disturbance emulation, near-to-nature forestry and others
Forest conservation in and out of reserves
Meeting threats to forest biodiversity through appropriate forest management
Identification of high conservation value forests
Commercial utilization of forests to benefit conservation

Utilizing genetic resources to further sustainable forestry

The role of Australian germplasm in global forestry development
Benefits and risks of utilizing genetic resources (community support, pest & disease issues)
Use of genetically modified trees and advances in tree improvement
‘Domestication’ of tree species
Trading in genetic resources (sharing benefits)
Taxa specific case studies/emerging species

Meeting the challenge of climate change

Promoting economic development through improvements to the forest — wood and products chain

Involving indigenous groups in forest science and forestry

Preserving indigenous knowledge
Indigenous involvement in commercial forestry enterprises (balancing land rights etc.)
Transferring benefits to indigenous communities
Links between western science and other forms of knowledge
Barriers for researchers working with indigenous groups

Increasing the value of forests through innovative products and technologies

Non-traditional forest biomass for forest products sustainability
Composite products
Value adding to residues
Bio-fuels
Environmentally friendly disposal of waste products
Cross-sectoral technology innovation (applications from other industries eg. mining)
Bioprospecting and biodiscovery
Nutriceuticals and other non-traditional forest products
Opportunities for ecotourism

Demonstrating sustainable forest management

Forest certification and sustainable forest management: research needs
Certification standards in different parts of the world (including mutual recognition)
Technologies required to support sustainable forestry
Technology transfer and training programs for further processing and trading of “green” labelled forest products from sustainably-managed forests
Alternatives to forest certification

Sustaining forests: A duty for forestry and society?

Community participation in forest planning and management
Forest research, the public and the policy-maker: Application of new technical and social methods.
Does science have a role in public policy formulation?
Management of invasive species
Identification of forest attributes and damage thresholds as a measure of forest health

Realizing the environmental benefits of forests

Landscape disturbance – reconstruction of New Forests — Mining Sites as Case Studies
Forests and water
The role of protection forests
Quantification of environmental changes/benefits
Valuing forests (appropriate mechanisms) and their environmental services
Balancing natural disturbances with the maintenance of environmental values
Challenges and opportunities of agroforestry

Advancing the role of communication, education and capacity building in the future of forestry

Knowledge transfer and extension — Methods to better interpret, disseminate and implement research results
Improving interactions between research, education and extension activities
A strategic vision for Research and Development
Planning research programs
Recent developments in visualization technologies as a means of obtaining greater stakeholder involvement
Developments in education and teaching technologies
Use of different media to communicate information about forestry
Training issues associated with privatization of forestry in emerging market economies