Forest ThreatNet

The biannual conference of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) landscape ecology working group was held September 16-22, 2008, in Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China. The U.S. Forest Service co-sponsored the conference, themed Landscape Ecology and Forest Management: Challenges and Solutions. EFETAC Director Danny C. Lee delivered a keynote address, "Using landscape ecology to anticipate and respond to emerging forest threats." SGCP research hydrologist Ge Sun participated in a pre-workshop with the U.S.-China Carbon Consortium and organized a hydrology symposium. Lee and Sun also explored collaborative research possibilities on ecosystem services, stream restoration, and forest protection with local officials in Chongqing and the Jinyun Mountain Natural Reserve.

Above: EFETAC Director Danny C. Lee (right) and research hydrologist Ge Sun (left) discussed future forest ecosystem services and stream restoration collaborative efforts with Chongqing City forestry officials.

Following the visit to Chongqing, Lee and Sun traveled to Beijing for meetings and presentations at the Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, and Beijing Water Authority. Lee also attended the Symposium on Sustainable Forest Management hosted by the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet). He contributed a presentation on behalf of the Forest Service, entitled “Forest monitoring to support sustainable forest management in the United States.”

The IUFRO promotes global cooperation in forest-related research and enhances the understanding of the ecological, economic, and social aspects of forests and trees. For more information, visit http://www.iufro.org. APFNet, cosponsored by Australia and the United States, is an open regional organization promoting and improving sustainable forest management and rehabilitation in the Asia-Pacific region. Visit http://en.apfnet.cn/ to learn more.