Project Period: December 2023-November 2027
Funding Source/Donor Organization: Ministry of Science and Technology, China
Executing Agency: Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry
Contact: Zang Runguo: zangrung@caf.ac.cn
Brief Introduction:
Integrative forest management integrates biodiversity conservation into sustainable forest management, thereby maximizing the ecological, economic, and social benefits of forests. The comprehensive development of the China-European economy urgently requires the incorporation of integrative forest management as a crucial support for green development. However, the current theoretical framework, evaluation criteria, and practical applications of integrative forest management are still lacking. Mechanisms involving various stakeholders and interests have yet to be established. There is an urgent need for in-depth cooperation between China and Europe to collaborate, tackle common challenges, and establish an integrative forest management system adapted to the sustainable development of the China-European economy.
This project aims to create a China-European research network for comprehensive management of forest ecosystems, forming an internationally leading and suitable integrated forest management model that aligns with the current situation in China. Through the incorporation of multi-stakeholder participation mechanisms, the project aims to promote the synergistic enhancement of various ecosystem services and biodiversity, ultimately accelerating the goal of protecting and restoring forest ecosystems. We will build a conceptual framework for integrative forest management theory, an impact assessment system, multi-stakeholder participation and operational mechanisms, network platforms, and tools; establish a demonstration of the integrative forest management model. We expect to develop technical guides, management tools, evaluation or technical reports, host international seminars and dialogues, train management personnel and graduate students, establish network platform, publish papers, etc. Improve the level of forest management modernization both in China and the European Union (EU), and provide advanced models for forest protection, management and utilization in China and the EU.
The team of China and EU possess solid theoretical foundation and extensive practical experience. The Chinese team is composed of 10 institutions, with 45 individuals holding senior positions. The European team, led by the European Forest Institute, consists of a total of 16 institutions. Both parties have been engaged in long-term research in areas such as optimizing and managing forest ecosystem structure, maintaining and protecting biodiversity, assessing and managing ecosystem services, and forestry policies.
We will enhance cooperation with Europe in the following key areas: communication and exchange of ideas and experiences, mutual visits to experimental bases, academic conferences, platform data sharing, graduate student training, publication of papers, development of technical guidelines, personnel training, and joint development of experimental tools.
