Symposium: Silviculture and Management of Dryland Forests.

Transcription

1 First Announcement Symposium: Silviculture and Management of Dryland Forests. 16 to 19 March 2015 Presented by Department of Forest and Wood Science, Stellenbosch University, and the International Union of Forest Research Organisations Unit Venue: Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa

2 Introduction: Natural forests in dry regions are under increasing pressure from expanding human populations and climate change. Afforestation with fast growing plantations of exotics have helped to decrease the pressure on natural forests in many countries, however, even the plantation forests are under pressure due to scarcity of land for agriculture and development, increasing pest and disease threats, and also climate change. The increasing demand for renewable resources like wood fibre is an incentive for industrial forestry companies and private land owners to expand the production of timber outside the traditional forestry areas into drier areas. Intensified farm forestry and agroforestry has potential to supplement the current supply of forest products and services, especially in the peri-urban areas of developing countries. Focussed research on Silviculture and Forest Management in plantations, woodlots and natural forests in dry regions is urgently needed in many countries, to ensure sustainable management and to improve forest productivity. The meeting will review recent developments in the broader field of silviculture and management regimes of Dryland Forests (both indigenous and plantation-based systems) around the world. The symposium objectives To bring decision-makers, farmers, ecologists, forest scientists, forest practitioners, academics, forest managers and researchers, who are interested in plantations, woodlots or natural forests in dry regions together in one forum to share and review information, developments, concepts and ideas within the broad spectrum of listed topics. The intension is to unite interest groups from plantation forestry and natural forests, with a combined objective to produce and supply forest products and ecosystem services in dry climates, on a sustainable basis. This interaction will facilitate networking to develop joint projects and activities that will address priority research issues. The Symposium Format The symposium is planned over four days at the Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch ( This will include three days of presentations with a one-day field trip. The programme will consist of seven key note addresses and a number of invited international speakers who will report on scientific developments on a number of themes covering the full value chain, from the site-species matching, including silviculture and management regimes up to the final product and markets of Dryland forests around the world. The Symposium Themes 1. Tree physiology, growth and tree architectural responses in drought conditions. 2. Site species matching /genotype x environment interactions. 3. Silviculture regimes and management systems for Dryland Forestry. First announcement: Silviculture and Management of Dryland Forests Page 2

3 4. Management systems for dry natural forest ecosystems (including Savanna forests and bush encroachment issues). 5. Products, procurement, wood properties and markets. 6. Integrated fire management. 7. Landscape improvements and ecosystem services from woodlots and farm forestry projects. Post- Conference tour An optional post-conference tour will be available to visit commercial Eucalyptus plantations and game reserves in the Northern Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal Province. Delegates will fly from Cape Town to Durban and have a one day visit Eucalyptus species and hybrid trials. The tour will end with two days in the Hluhluwe game reserve and the isimangaliso Wetland Park. For more information on Hluhluwe game reserve Hilltop campsite and isimangaliso Wetland Park, go to: Attractions in and around Stellenbosch. The town s academic history has its roots in the early nineteenth century when the Stellenbosch Gymnasium, the forerunner of today s internationally renowned centre for education, Stellenbosch University, was established. There is a small-town atmosphere and leisurely lifestyle surrounded by nature s bounty, yet Stellenbosch is no more than half an hour s drive from the cosmopolitan buzz of Cape Town and endless stretches of pristine white beach are within 15 minutes' drive. The mild weather and unique terroir is ideal for wine-growing and the region has amassed many international awards over the years. South Africa has produced wine for more than 300 years. The first Touristic Wine Route was established in 1971 and comprised 17 cellars; today the Stellenbosch Wine Routes boasts more than 200 members. The tranquil, friendly town offers a plethora of activities and events for young and old, the adventurer, nature-lover, music and art-lover, and history buff. The unsurpassed scenery with views over vineyards, mountains and orchards, offers excellent photographic opportunities. Refer to Accommodation opportunities: Please refer to the Stellenbosch website at Provisional programme Symposium Morning Afternoon Evening Monday 16 March Registration Technical sessions Welcome dinner Tuesday 17 March Technical sessions Technical sessions Dinner (symposium) Wednesday 18 March Technical sessions Field day Dryland plantations and indigenous forests of the Western Cape followed by Dinner (Wine estate) First announcement: Silviculture and Management of Dryland Forests Page 3

4 Thursday 19 March Technical sessions Final technical sessions and closure Departure Post Conference tour Thursday 19 March Friday 20 March Saturday 21 March Sunday 22 March Monday 23 March Fly Cape Town to Durban after symposium closure Visit dryland eucalypt plantations in the sub-tropics Game drives, discussions and leisure time in Hluhluwe game reserve Visit isimangaliso Wetland Park and boat trip on St Lucia Estuary Shuttles to Durban or Richard s Bay airports* Evening Kwa-Zulu Natal north coast Hluhluwe game reserve Hluhluwe game reserve Accommodation St Lucia *Note that some international flights fly out of Durban international airport and there are hourly flights to O.R. Tambo international airport in Johannesburg. However, from Richard s Bay, one can only fly to Johannesburg and there are few flights per day. It is a perfectly fine option to use, as it is the closest airport to Hluhluwe Game reserve, but passengers wanting to take this option are advised to book early. Invitation for papers for voluntary oral presentation The definition of dryland forestry will vary between countries, and we want to leave it open for interpretation in order to include all possible research results that might be applicable in other countries. We encourage the submission of abstracts (see abstract template below) by 1 September 2014 within one of the above themes. Conference proceedings: Conference proceedings consisting of the extended format abstracts will be made available on a CD on conference registration day. Following acceptance of abstracts, authors may submit extended abstracts (no more than 800 words) by 31 December 2014 for incorporation into the conference proceedings. Important preliminary dates: Abstract submission Feedback from scientific committee 1 September October 2014 Early registration deadline 15 December 2014 Extended abstract submission for proceedings 31 December 2014 Late registration deadline 31 January 2015 Registration cancellation deadline 9 February 2015 Full manuscript submission for publication (limited) 30 April 2015 Special edition of Southern Forests Authors of a limited number of presentations will be invited after the symposium, based on the quality of the presentation, to submit full manuscripts for inclusion in a special edition of the Southern Forests Journal by June First announcement: Silviculture and Management of Dryland Forests Page 4

5 Scientific review committee 1 Dr. Ben du Toit South Africa 2 Prof. Thomas Seifert South Africa 3 Dr. Steven Dovey South Africa 4 Prof. Coert Geldenhuys South Africa 5 Prof. Paxie Chirwa South Africa 6 Dr. Keith Little South Africa 7 Dr. Brand Wessels South Africa 8 Dr. Martina Meincken South Africa 9 Dr. Patrick Graz Namibia 10 Prof. Leonardo Gonçalves Brazil 11 Dr. Santiago Barros Chile 12 Prof. Rafael Rubillar Chile 13 Dr. Cristian Echeverria Chile 14 Prof. David Lee Australia 15 Prof. Bart Muys Belgium 16 Dr. Michel Vennetier France 17 Dr. Paulo Fernandes Portugal Conference organising committee Dr. Ben du Toit Mr. Deon Malherbe Mrs. Poppie Gordon Mr. Ralston Hans Otto Pienaar Anton Kunuke Denis Oscroft Registration information Information for registration will be added to the website at a later stage. Cancellation of registration: A 50% discount on registration fees will be payable if a cancellation request is received before 9 February We regret that no refund of registration fees will be considered after this date. Sponsorship Opportunity: The conference organizational committee invites organizations interested in sponsoring this event to contact Deon Malherbe at gfmalherbe@sun.ac.za. Contact Information: For further information please contact Deon Malherbe at gfmalherbe@sun.ac.za or Dr Ben du Toit at ben@sun.ac.za. First announcement: Silviculture and Management of Dryland Forests Page 5