Conference "Old-Growth Forests: Policy and Practice", organized by the Latvian State Forestry Institute "Silava" in collaboration with the Latvian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, has concluded!
Save the date! The 5th international conference on old-growth forests, organized by LSFRI "Silava",
will be held in Latvia in October 16-17, 2025!
Insight into the Conference (in Latvian)
The event was kicked off by Dr. William Keeton, Professor of Forest Ecology and Forestry at the University of Vermont and Chair of the old-growth forest working group of the IUFRO. Check out the video to hear Dr. Keeton's insights!
Experts from over 15 countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Latvia and other, came together to present resent research on old-growth forests and their identification, and share insights on the importance of old-growth forests (see presentations below).
With over 70 participants joining us from around the globe — both in person and remotely — the discussions were vibrant and impactful!
Presentations:
- Juan Alberto Molina-Valero (Postdoctoral researcher, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic): Establishment of maximum biomass stock capacity of Pinus sylvestris forests at the level of global ecological zones
- Mats Varik (Researcher, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia): Carbon storages and fluxes in a chronosequence of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands
- Kris Vandekerkhove (Senior scientist on Forest Ecology, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Belgium): Old growth forests definition and indicators: a case study for beech forests in Europe
- Laura Ķēniņa (Researcher, Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava", Latvia): Latvia's perspective on defining old-growth forests
- Gita Strode (Director of Department of Nature Conservation, Nature Conservation Agency, Latvia): Protection, Management, and Monitoring of Old-Growth Forests: Insights from the Nature Conservation Agency
- Jukka Forsman and Mikko Peltoniemi (Research professors, Luke, Finland): Safeguarding biodiversity and carbon-rich forest networks in Europe (SafeNet, 2025-2029)
There was also poster session where researchers presented their poster-presentations:
- Petritan I.C., Buezo J., Medina N., Hereş A.M., Petritan A.M., Esteban R., Curiel Yuste J. Deadwood carbon emissions in a European temperate virgin forest as driven by species, decay classes, diameter and microclimate
- Klapper J., Zute D., Alfieri D., Alvites C., Antonucci S., Bērziņa B., Boonen S., Eckes-Shephard A., Jacob S., Jansons Ā., Lehtonen A., Lisella C., Martínez-García E., Nabur G.-J., Santopuoli G., Saleniece R., Starcevic A., Tognetti R., Verkerk P.J. Climate-Smart Forestry and forest restoration: an overview of experimental trials across Europe
- Bāders E., Lele A., Kaupe D., Jaunslaviete I., Jansons Ā. Forest management affecting landscape parameters;
- Bičkovskis K., Donis J., Jansone D., Adamovičs A., Jaunslaviete I., Šņepsts G., Jansons Ā. Effect of drainage system reconstruction on increment of Scots pine;
- Done G., Jaunslaviete I., Zēberga L., Jankūna L., Jansons Ā. Factors affecting deer browsing damages in young Scots pine stands;
- Elferts D., Uri V., Lazdiņa D., Varik M., Jansons Ā. Climate smart solutions for enhanced biodiversity through increased presence of broadleaved trees in landscape;
- Liepiņa A.A., Matisons R., Jansone D., Barone I., Zeltiņš P., Matisone I., Donis J., Dālberga D., Jansons Ā. The potential of growing peduculate oak Q. robur in Latvia;
- Matisone I., Liepa L., Jansons Ā. Acceptable level of deadwood in Latvia's forests. Preliminary results;
- Zeltiņš P., Rieksts-Riekstiņš R., Jansons Ā. Genotype and thinning intensity affecting growth of Scots pine;
- Zēberga L., Adamovičs A., Ozoliņš K., Sūniņa-Briede L. Effect of tree species and spacing on growth in afforestation;
- Zute D., Ellison D., Ķēniņa L., Bāders E. What is and what is not an old-growth forest? A case study from hemiboreal Latvia;
- Zute D., Ulmane Z., Jansons Ā. Perspectives of private forest owners. Old-growth forests and natural disturbances: a case study on bark beetles.
Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava" is organizing 4th International Conference
OLD-GROWTH FORESTS: POLICY AND PRACTICE
on October 10–11, 2024 at Mežmāja, Šķēde, Latvia
International Conference brings together scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to share recent research and discuss the old-growth forests and their role in climate policy.
- Format of the Conference:
October 10 (Day 1): Indoor conference, hybrid (in-person/online),
October 11 (Day 2): Field visit to the old-growth forest site, in-person. - Working language: English.
- Location: Mežmāja, Šķēde, Latvia
- Transfer to Conference venue (from–to Riga airport), dining and accommodation (shared rooms with other participants) will be provided.
- The Conference is open to all interested parties and is free of charge. The transfer to Conference venue planned on October 10, 2024 at 8:00 am and/or on October 9, afternoon (tbc). Transfer is free of charge.
- For virtual participants the online link for the conference will be sent shortly before the event.
In conjunction with the Conference, the FORWARDS Autumn School on Climate-Smart Forestry will be held from October 7–9, 2024, specifically designed for PhD students (see information below).
For further questions related to the conference, please contact Laura Ķēniņa
(e-mail:
Conference Agenda
Registration form for the Conference (Registration is open only for the ONLINE participation now)
PhD Autumn School 2024
CLIMATE-SMART FORESTRY – NORTHERN EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
on October 7–9, 2024 at Mežmāja, Šķēde, Latvia
The 1st PhD Autumn School organized by the FORWARDS Project, in collaboration with the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava" (October 7–9, 2024) has concluded! On three days students from 8 countries explored various topics related to climate-smart forestry through engaging lectures and insightful field trips in Latvia’s research forests. One of the five FORWARDS demo-sites related to wind resistance and resilience at peat restoration in hemiboreal forests is located in Latvia, and therefore, at one of the field trips, a static pulling test was demonstrated to the students. During this event, A FORWARDS Project Photo Stories Workshop on Climate-Smart Forestry was held and guided by Elaine Parlade (BOKU University). The workshop aimed to empower students to use visual narratives as a tool for effectively communicating the principles and practices of climate-smart forestry.
The project FORWARDS with a collaboration to LSFRI "Silava" invites you to learn more about climate-smart forestry. The event offers you a possibility to attend PhD student Autumn School (October 7–9, 2024), international conference OLD-GROWTH FORESTS: POLICY AND PRACTICE (October 10, 2024) and forest visit to FORWARDS demo site on October 11, 2024.
Participants will take part in lectures given by prominent forestry experts – FORWARDS Project partners, and will have a possibility to exchange knowledge on climate smart forestry (CSF) aspects across the Europe and different forest growing conditions. The participants are expected to present their research thesis on climate-smart forestry or related forestry topic. This will provide an opportunity for networking, exchanging knowledge and building on FORWARDS Project cutting edge knowledge on forestry methods, considering the expected climate change impacts.
Autumn School Agenda
Autumn School flyer
Registration for Autumn School (REGISTRATION IS CLOSED)