The objective of the symposium is to
evaluate the biological and geochemical dynamics in mountain forests
with respect to their benefits for the society. Special emphasis is placed
on conflicts of interests regarding conservation of minimally disturbed
forest ecosystems and the economic needs of mountain communities as traditional
resource users in mountainous areas. The symposium shall provide a platform
for discussion between experts in various fields of forest research as well
as players in the local economy of mountainous regions.
Target participants are
Forest scientists, political decision makers, chambers and public authorities,
institutions for the advancement of research, professionals working in
related fields.
Topics
I) Land-use conflicts and integrated forest management in mountain areas
- Conflicts of interests? (conservation/development, highland-lowland
interactions, traditional knowledge/new technologies)
- Integrated conservation and development
- Monetary and political evaluation of a forested landscape
- Participatory management and research
II) Geochemical processes in mountain forests
- Geochemical heritage of historic forms of land-use
- Nitrogen eutrophication a threat?
- Carbon sequestration potential
- Chemical water quality
III) Vegetation in the timberline ecotone
- Plant ecophysiology
- biodiversity
- Characterization of mountain forests
- Genetic adaptation of trees
- Structure and dynamics of mountain forests
IV) Risk assessment and crisis management
- Methodology in Risk Assessment and Crisis Management
- Socio-economic aspects of Natural Disaster Precaution and Prevention
- New Simulation and Prognosis Technologies in Risk Assessment and
Crisis Management
- Implementation of Risk and Crisis Management Tools in Decision
Making Processes.