Searching for balance between production and ecosystem complexity – the way of Pro Silva in the era of climate change
Searching for balance between production and ecosystem complexity – the way of Pro Silva in the era of climate change
With Tomáš Vrška
How much time do we have to transform our forests? How to transform the even-aged stands to uneven-aged, irregular forests? Which silvicultural systems are optimal for the future? And how to think, plan and work in the field in different spatial scales (tree, stand, landscape). How to search for balance between production and higher ecosystem complexity (incl. biodiversity)? A practical example from Central Europe (Czech Republic) will be presented. Long-term transformation of forests (10,500 ha) owned by Mendel University in Brno where Pro Silva Bohemica was established could be a good example for practitioners. Finally, the variability of close-to-nature approaches across Europe will be presented too.
Associate Professor Dr. Tomáš Vrška studied forestry at Mendel University in Brno, obtaining a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology (1997) and later a habilitation in Silviculture (2010). He started his career in the Forest Management Planning Institute (1989), but in 1994-2018 he led a team of scientists researching the dynamics of natural temperate forests across the world. His main focus was oriented into the practical application of scientific knowledge in the practice of close-to-nature forestry and restoration management of forests in protected areas. Since 2019 he is the director of the Křtiny University Forest Enterprise at Mendel University in Brno. At the university forest enterprise (10,500 ha), he focuses on the real adaptation of forests to climate change – developing and testing new silvicultural models for future forests. He lectures on this issue at universities. He is currently the President of Pro Silva – an international association of foresters who advocate and practice close-to-nature forest management.
Booking is essential and a Zoom link will be sent out closer to the event. For information or assistance please contact administrator@prosilva.org.uk