Theme 1: Forest ecology and
management
- In this theme,
we welcome contributions on topics that aim to
understand the evolutionally patterns underpinning forest ecosystem
resilience and forest interactions that have a bearing on the health
of the forest ecosystem. Particular topics may include forest
ecology, silviculture and tree improvement, forest resource
assessment, forest biodiversity, forest hydrology and watershed
management, forest fires, invasive species, forest pests and
diseases, livestock grazing, pollination and climate change and
forest restoration.
Theme 2:
Forests, Societies and bioeconomy
- This theme
explores the intricacies in changes in values, society attributes,
such as productivity, consumption patterns and environmental threats
and their impacts on well-being of societies. Developing solutions
to these challenges to improve forest productivity is central to
achieving economically sustainable societies and forests. In this
theme, contributions may cover diverse topics including nature-based
solutions, contribution of the forest sector to country GDP,
non-timber forest products, bioenergy, forest governance,
participatory forest management, sustainable forest operations,
ergonomics, forest products and marketing systems and industrial
development of the forest products and its value additions,
engineered wood products, agro-forestry, beekeeping, forest
economics and business banking, carbon trade and marketing, Taxation
in forest products, biomass based-energy extraction and urban
forestry.
Theme 3:
Technological advances in forest management and
conservation
- The demands
for forest products and services by societies are increasingly
putting pressure on the forest sustainability, thus requiring use of
advanced tools in resource assessment and management of forests and
biodiversity. In this theme, we would like contributions that
show-case innovative and modern methods applied to improve natural
resources (forests, wildlife and tourism) assessment and management.
Topics may include GIS and remote sensing tools, AI, telemetry,
camera trapping, drones and forensic techniques.
Theme 4:
Natural Resources conservation and Tourism development
- Change in
landscape resources due to increasing human demands for development
is undoubtedly driving loss of natural habitats for wildlife both in
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, diminishing wildlife population
and increasing their vulnerability to threats such as diseases and
conflicts. Also, changing economic landscapes is putting wildlife
under risks of poaching and illegal trade of wildlife products.
These threats undermine the potential for the tourism industry to
grow. In this theme, we welcome contributions in diverse topics
covering wildlife ecology and or biology, human-wildlife conflicts,
illegal activities, protected areas, marine and freshwater ecology
and conservation, tourist products development, tourism
transportation, tourism and recreation infrastructure, tourism
education and cultural and eco-tourism.
Theme 5:
Policies and conservation sustainability
- National
policies that underpin conservation of forests and wildlife and use
of these natural resources are central to the sustainability and
development of these resources. However, conservation of these
resources is often constrained by limited financial budgets from
governments. External financing from conservation and development
partners has catapulted development of the forests and wildlife for
several decades, but challenges remain on how implementation of
conservation plans and practices is framed especially under various
policies related to land tenure, resources use and development. This
has, over years, defined the development and sustainability of these
sectors. In this theme, we welcome contributions in areas of
policies underpinning biodiversity financing and conservation
practices, and how national policies are aligned with the
international guidelines for biodiversity conservation, resource
utilization and development, the factors that impede contributions
of community and private sectors to biodiversity conservation and
sustainability.