PhD course: Forest Management and Biodiversity across Europe
10 - 17 September 2023
Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland & Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands
Venue: Bialowieza National Park, Poland
Background of Summer School / Introduction
Europe’s forests represent a large variety of ecosystems, from Mediterranean evergreen and temperate, deciduous forests through to coniferous boreal forests. Depending on a variety of factors, these forests harbour high levels of biodiversity, generated primarily by variations in climate and topography, but also to large extent through differences in forest management. In Europe, the majority of forests have been managed during past millennia. A large variety of land tenure and governance systems, management styles and forest uses have transformed European forests by changing their extent, structure, species composition and function. Currently, forests and other wooded lands cover almost 40% of the continent, or 227 million hectares (Forest Europe 2020), and host a tremendous variety of organisms. European Forests are crucial for a major part of continental biodiversity.
To protect habitats and species while also meeting its international commitments, the European Union (EU) has been developing the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, based on the 1979 Birds Directive (on the preservation of wild birds) and the 1992 Habitats Directive (on the conservation of natural habitats). The main goal of the Natura 2000 network is to protect the EU’s threatened species and habitats by setting conservation objectives, delineating protected sites and monitoring the conservation status of these sites. The network now includes almost 30,000 protected areas covering 18% of the EU’s land area, of which 48% is forested, and 8% of its marine territory (EEA 2019). According to Natura 2000-reporting, forests exhibit the highest proportion of improving trends among the assessments, with 14% of the forest assessments having a good conservation status. However, 31% of forest assessments still show a bad conservation status and 54% a poor conservation status (EEA 2019). This suggests that European forests have not escaped the global trend of biodiversity loss, and one of the targets of forest management is to increase biodiversity to improve this.
Connected to this, the EU has recently launched the Restoration regulation, aimed at improving the situation. This builds upon the Biodiversity Strategy which aims for 10% of all lands under strict set aside. In addition, the Commission’s Green Deal aims for protection of 30% of the land ecosystems. These current developments underline the relevance and timeliness of the course subject.
Improving biodiversity may be achieved through a variety of measures: from strict protection and set asides, to closer to nature management forms and more integrated approaches, characterizing land sparing and land sharing options. European forests have a central role to play in biodiversity conservation, as is recognized by recent publications and policy documents. But how to solve conflicting issues locally and regionally, taking into account local demands and stakeholders, remains a problem.
Maximum number of participants
40
Pre-requisites
The course is aimed at PhD candidates, postdocs and other academics with a background in forestry or conservation biology and associated policy-making.
Application Method
Please find the application form on the official website.
Application Deadline
1st of July 2023
Course Content
The concept of the course is to bring together PhD candidates and lecturers from various countries and backgrounds, and working in different scientific approaches related to European forests. Particular focus of this course will be on the potential contribution of forest management in European forests to biodiversity conservation goals, as well as on conflicts that may arise from forest use, differentiated between different site conditions, resource use, and societal context, and participants will be stimulated to develop novel management strategies to protect and enhance biodiversity while maintaining other forest use as well.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
After completing the course, the participants should be able to critically compare and learn from different views regarding sustainable European forest management in view of biodiversity conservation and the global biodiversity crisis, and in view of the EU forest strategy and the EU biodiversity strategy.
Course Schedule
Sunday 10 Sept noon till Sunday 17 Sept noon
Course Language
English
Course Format
The course starts on Sunday with welcome drinks and lunch, followed by an opening lecture about the general theme and aims of the course and introductory poster pitches by the participants. During the week, there will be lectures and Masterclasses in the mornings on specific topics by experts of the partner institutes and from outside. Lectures will cover all interdisciplinary aspects related to forests, forest management, and biodiversity conservation in Europe. These can relate to ecological aspects, but also to social and sustainability aspects, as well as economics, integrated management, and governance.
In the afternoons, participants will work in small teams on a specific group work assignment. This will allow participants to link their theoretical knowledge with real-life challenges, aimed at finding solutions for the issues of our times! The experts will be present for most or all of the course to interact with the participants, to provide topical masterclasses and workshops, and to provide input for the group assignment. During two afternoons, the Białowieża National Park and the Białowieża forest will be visited with local guides.
In the evenings, there may be leisure lectures by invited speakers or local stakeholders, and possibly wildlife spotting excursions. On Friday, there will be no official program (see below). Then, on Saturday, the group projects are finalised and presented. On the last morning, the course is concluded by general discussion of the theme of the course, including a general wrap-up of the course and evaluation of the course aims. Finally, after a goodbye lunch, all can make their way home.
The final program will be announced when all guest lecturers have confirmed!
Number of Credits [ECTS]
2,5 ECTS
Type of Assessment
Final group work presentations + short report at the end of the course. No grades, no exam, intensive involvement in and contribution to group work is expected
Cultural Activities / Social Program
During the course, excursions and field visits are planned to various stakeholders, and into the local area, to allow for interaction and exchange of ideas with the stakeholders, and to illustrate the challenges that are at hand. On Friday afternoon, participants are free to explore the region by themselves.
Costs
EARLY-BIRD FEE | REGULAR FEE | |
|---|---|---|
| PhD candidates of Wageningen University | € 400,- | € 450,- |
| PhD candidates of any other ELLS Universities | € 710,- | € 760,- |
| All other PhD candidates and Academic staff of ELLS Universities | € 1100,- | € 1150,- |
All others | € 1.500,- | € 1.550,- |
Accommodation
Dworek Gawra
Health Insurance
Required, own responsibility.
Visa
If you are a citizen of a non-Schengen country without a visa-free travel agreement with Poland, you require a Schengen Visa. Own responsibility.
Contact person for sientific questions
Prof. Frits Mohren
Dr. Szymon Bijak
Contact person for administrative questions
Miriam van Heist PE&RC
