Theme: Sino-German Subtropical Forests Conservation and Sustainable Management

Beijing, China　 April 13, 2011　

(First Circular)

I. Workshop Context

2011 is declared as the International Year of Forests. To celebrate this, FAO conducted the most comprehensive assessment ever on global forest resources in 2010. It was found that: the forests cover 31% of total global land area, and China is ranked as one of the five most forest-rich countries worldwide; the large-scaled afforestation efforts have significantly reduced the net loss of global forest areas; the man-made forest areas are steadily growing and account for 7% of global forest areas; 30% of global forests are mainly used for the production of timber and other non-timber forest products; and many efforts are still needed to sustainably manage the forests.

China is abundant in forest resources, with the richest forest types and diverse endemic and rare forest species. However, the forest management in China is generally characterized by extensive management and low productivity. Over the last decades, particularly since 1999, China has made outstanding achievements in forest resources protection and restoration. Nevertheless, it is still posed by various challenges in forestry development that need to be addressed in the long run due to large population and fast economic growth.

In Germany, one of the most advanced countries in forestry worldwide, the concept of ‘Close-to-Nature Forestry’ has been launched since 1990s, and relevant laws, forest management guideline and targets have been developed. The concept reflects the forestry idea of adaptation to nature: to meet the human needs, some forest management activities can be undertaken while maintaining the natural structure of forest. It aims to promote the positive succession of forests by promoting the restoration of natural forests through artificial means and to maintain the total forest biomass. China needs to learn from the best practices on forestry operation and management in Germany.

The subtropical areas in China, as the key areas for forestry development, are featured with superior natural conditions, enjoying great potentials in cultivating fast-growing and high-yield man-made forests and improved evergreen broad-leaved forest species. One of the major missions in forestry development in China is to facilitate the intensive management of man-made forests, transformation of secondary forests and conservation of semi-natural forests in subtropical areas. This workshop will bring together the scientists and experts from China and German to address theories and technologies related to forest management in subtropical areas.

II. Date

April 13, 2011 (Wednesday)

III. Venue

The Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research(IGSNRR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) 

(A11, Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing)

IV. Objectives

The major objectives of the workshop are to learn from the theories and tools on close-to-nature forest management in Germany, assess the current status, challenges and outlook of forestry development in China, and address the strategies and approaches on subtropical forest conservation and sustainable management in China.

V. Major Themes

1. Close-to-Nature forest management in Germany

2. Progress of Germany in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Program

3. Current status, challenges and outlook of forestry development in China

4. Ongoing and proposed research and demonstration projects in sustainable management of subtropical forests

VI. Working languages

Chinese and English (Presentation by the international scientists in English--- simultaneous interpretation service not available)

VII. Organizers

Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), CAS

Germany Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN)

VIII. Co-organizers

Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS

Higher Education Press, China

Synthesis Research Center, China National Ecosystem Observation and Research Network

Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, CAS

EU-China Biodiversity Programme

IX. Contact

Ms. LI Li 　 Dr. YU Xiubo

Secretariat of Scientific Committee of CERN

Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS

Address: A11, Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100101

Fax: + 86 10 6486 8962

Email：cef@cern.ac.cn

Website: www.cern.ac.cn

X. Overall Arrangement

The Spring Symposium of China Ecological Forum (CEF) will take place on April 13, 2011. Renowned scientists and experts from Germany and China, including those from BfN, GTZ, CERN and CNEN, will be invited to make oral presentations. The symposium will bring together approximately 120 participants and is open to the researchers and postgraduates.

Participants are required to submit their registration forms for CEF Spring Symposium (Appendix 1) by April 6, 2011. The Organizing Committee of the Workshop will confirm your attendance by April 7, 2011. Due to the limit of number of participants, the Organizing Committee of the Workshop is entitled to select the participants according to Registration Form, in particular their research interests and the relevance to the workshop themes.

XI. Conference Fees

Free registration and material will be provided for the workshop. Transportation and accommodation costs for attending the CEF Symposium should be borne by the participants themselves. Free boxed lunch will be offered by the organizer to the participants.

XII. Key milestones

March 5, 2011　　 Begin to receive Registration Form

March 25, 2011　  Issue the Second Announcement on the detailed agenda

April 6, 2011　　  Deadline of the Registration Form

April 7, 2011　　  Confirmation of the attendance for the workshop

April 13, 2011　　 Hold the Spring Symposium of CEF 2011

XIII. About the sponsors

As a key component of knowledge-based innovation system of CAS, CERN consists of 40 ecological sites, five sub-centers and one synthesis research center. At present, approximately 2,000 researchers, technicians and postgraduates are leveraging the platform to be engaged in ecosystem long-term monitoring, experiment, research, demonstration and policy support.

China Ecological Forum (CEF) was jointly initiated by the Synthesis Center of CERN, the Synthesis Center of CNEN, and the KLENOM, with a purpose of ‘disseminating new knowledge, exchanging new ideas and presenting new findings’. Renowned national and international ecologists are invited to make oral presentation to the researchers and postgraduates in ecology. It is held on a regular basis, at least once each month. Symposia and other academic activities will also be held under the Forum.