A task force on forest adaptation and restoration - concept and pathways

In the face of climate and global change forest adaptation and restoration is a key issue for securing forest integrity, vitality and productivity. A new task force within the framework of the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) is dedicated to globally compile and improve knowledge of how to achieve an optimal adaptation status of forest and forests landscapes. We are introducing the Adaptive Measure (AM) approach by (1) considering all actions that increase adaptive capacity of forests and forest land, (2) combining Adaptive Forest Management (AFM) concepts on stand-scale with Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) concepts on landscape scale, (3) linking national and trans-national policies, as well as trans-disciplinary expertise in various fields, and (4) integrating experts and working activities among various IUFRO sections. The TF conceptual pathway is following three aims: identifying knowledge gaps, comparing existing activities and techniques, and elaborating best practice approaches. The approach includes four main elements: (1) retrospective knowledge (gap) analyses, (2) collaborative compilation and analyses using existing data and research infrastructures, (3) conception and implementation of collaborative monitoring and research activities, and (4) summarizing best practice approaches for different environments and socio-economic requirements. In a first step, we synthesize knowledge and identify information gaps on biophysical and genetic adaptive traits of forest trees on species and sub-species level as well as on adaptive measures (AM). This shall include regions that are rarely found high up on the international forest research agenda (for example, Central Asia and South America). Secondly, we will perform a meta-analyses on continental AM concepts under global change using existing and evolving knowledge. A special emphasis will be put on mountain forests due to their important role for forest adaptation and forest landscape restoration on the global scale.