80 visiting nations in Freiburg

What will forest development look like over the next few decades? What impact will climate change have? How do we politically contain the illegal wood trade? 2,000 participants from more than 80 countries have come to Freiburg to find solutions to these urgent political and ecological questions.

Photo: Patrick Seeger

In the past several years, we have witnessed how the conditions for commercial forestry have been radically altered through climate change. Droughts will most likely become more frequent and more intense in Europe – tree species such as spruce, the hallmark of any German forest, will no longer be able to withstand that kind of climate. The International Union of Forest Research Organizations Congress (IUFRO) currently being held at the University of Freiburg poses questions about such ecological challenges, biodiversity issues and the economic and political forest management.

More than 2,000 visitors from over 80 countries have come to this event, whose motto this year is "Interconnecting Forests, Science and People". "Thanks to this event, the already internationally recognized forestry research in Freiburg has gained even more attention," says Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit, who helped organize the event, together with the Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg (FVA) and other institutions in Zurich, Switzerland, and Nancy, France. "In addition, the event has helped other Freiburg institutions that focus on the forest's future grow even closer."

The tree planted by Dr. Dieter Salomon, mayor of the city of Freiburg, Prof. Dr. Mike Wingfield, IUFRO president und Dr. Gerald Kändler, deputy director of the Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg (FVA), sends a signal about sustainable management. Photo: Patrick Seeger

IUFRO is a consortium of 700 research institutions, thereby building the largest forestry research network worldwide. In honor of IUFRO's 125th anniversary this year, the mayor of the city of Freiburg, Dr. Dieter Salomon, IUFRO president, Prof. Dr. Mike Wingfield and Dr. Gerald Kändler, deputy director of FVA planted a linden tree in front of the Herder building. According to cultural history, the tree symbolizes the sociocultural relationship between man and forest and is meant to send a signal about the sustainable management of nature.

Sonja Seidel

Information about the congress

Photo: Patrick Seeger