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Climate-smart mountain forests play key role in EU climate goals

23.09.2019

From 9 – 11 September, professors, scientists and experts gathered at the CLimate-Smart Forestry in MOuntain Regions (CLIMO) workshop and meeting to assemble a thematic platform for project promoters and stakeholders, and tools for making mountain forests climate smart.

The event was held in Stará Lesná, Slovakia, and was organized by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), a funding organization for research and research networks.

Yuka Makino, Team Leader Water and Mountains Team, Forestry Department, FAO and Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, was one of four keynote speakers and participated in a panel about balancing challenges and opportunities in mountain forestry. In these discussions, Makino highlighted the importance of mountain forests from an international development perspective. “Mountain forests need to be managed to adapt to the changing climate, but are also essential in reducing the risks to climate change,” she said.

The conference included several parallel sessions of working groups. One of the most discussed topics was how forest management strategies should adapt to the increasing effects of climate change on mountain forests.

The CLIMO workshop and meeting concluded with a visit to the Tatra National Park to experience the park, the research station and the Museum of State Forests.

Conference participants will partake in the co-authorship of a book, which is scheduled to be submitted to Springer Publishing by December 2020.

Photo from Yuka Makino