We invite you to attend the 5th International Conference
OLD-GROWTH FORESTS: POLICY AND PRACTICE
organized by the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava"
in cooperation with International Union of Forest Research Organistions and
supported by Latvian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Forest Research Station
October 16-17, 2025
Kalsnava, Latvia
We intend to involve scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders continue to assess the progress of delineating, protecting and monitoring old-growth forests, based on case studies from various countries. Pros and cons of diverging approaches will be addressed and the significance of old-growth forests in a landscape scale tackled. This year's focus in on the role of old-growth forests in biodiversity maintenance.
Researchers and experts from 7 countries, including the Hungary, Romania, Finland, Poland and other, came together to present resent research on old-growth forests and their characteristics, and share insights on the importance of old-growth forests (see presentations below).
With over 60 participants joining us from around the globe — both in person and remotely — the discussions were vibrant and impactful! The event was kicked off by Profesor William Keeton (Forest Ecology and Forestry at the University of Vermont), who gave his insights related to a global perspective on temperate old-growth forest ecology, conservation, and restoration!
- Format of Conference:
16 October (Day 1): Indoor conference, hybrid (in-person/online),
17 October (Day 2): Field visit to the old-growth forest site, in-person. - Working language: English.
- Dining and accommodation (shared rooms with other participants) will be provided by Forest Research Station, Science and Learning Support Centre Vētraine. Although farther away from our capital, Riga, it will ensure the opportunity to visit various long-term research sites.
The Conference is open to all interested parties.
Contact person: Laura Ķēniņa (
Presentations
- Tibor Standovár, Associate Professor of Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary): Compilation of a set of criteria for identifying "sacred forests" of high natural value: identification, testing, and analysis of usable data, recommendations for practical use
- Ewa M. Grabska, Assistant Professor of Jagiellonian University (Poland): Utilizing diverse geospatial datasets for identifying different types of high conservation value forests
- Laura Ķēniņa, Researcher of Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava" (Latvia): Tree biomass changes over the last century in old-growth forest stands: case from Slītere National Park
- Gita Strode, Director of Department of Nature Conservation, Nature Conservation Agency (Latvia): Forests for biodiversity in Latvia role of old-growth forests in this system
- Āris Jansons, Director of Forest Department, Ministry of Agriculture (Latvia): EU forest habitat improvement – lessons from old-growth forest stands in Latvia
- Ana Mary Petritan, Researcher of National Research and Development Institute in Forestry ”Marin Dracea” (Romania): TreMs in Romania old-growth forests
- Stefan Prost, Assistant Professor of University of Oulu (Finland): Gliding towards an uncertain future: Conservation of the old-growth mixed forest adapted Siberian flying squirrel in Europe
- Anna Mežaka, Senior Researcher of Daugavpils University and Associate Professor in Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Latvia): Understanding bryophyte ecological characteristics in deciduous forests, Latvia
- Daniela Dúhová, PhD student in Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences of Czech University of Life Sciences (Czech Republic): Biodiversity in primary vs. managed forests: Biological legacies of old living and large dead trees drive lichen diversity
- William S. Keeton, Professor of University of Vermont, Deputy Coordinator of IUFRO Working group on Old-growth forests (USA): A global perspective on temperate old-growth forest ecology, conservation, and restoration
Poster-presentations
- Samariks V., Ķēniņa L., Ozoliņš K., Jansons Ā.: Organic soil greenhouse gas emissions in drained and periodically waterlogged old-growth Scots pine forests in hemiboreal Latvia
- Seipulis A., Šņepsts G., Matisons R., Krišāns O.: Species specific tree loading resistance in the Eastern Baltic region
- Ķēniņa L.: Structural dynamics and biodiversity composition of hemiboreal old-growth forests
- Jansone D., Barone I., Treimane A., Ķēniņa L., Liepiņa A.A.: Veteran and retention trees: tree related microhabitats on pine
- Vanaga I., Vārpiņa Z., Vārpiņš V., Ulmane A.: Market value from what we already cut: Residues to products
Thank you all for joining us!
Forest Development Fund Project The role of old-growth forests in climate change mitigating: Information for forest sector policymakers in Latvia and the European Union (No. 25-00-S0INZ03-000019).
| Previous Old-Growth Forests Conferences |
| • 2024 |
| • 2023 |
| • 2022 |
| • 2021 |