Forests under pressure: addressing disruptions, boosting resilience, and guiding policy
Date: 18 September 2025
Venue: Wood Pavilion of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences of Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague (FLD)
Duration: 9.00-17.00
Introduction
This seminar will bring together scientists, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the increasing risks of forest disturbances and their implications for sustainability, management, and policy. The event will begin with presentations on observed and expected impacts, covering trends in disturbances, effects on forest resilience, biodiversity, and the carbon sink, as well as the consequences for the supply of wood supply and other ecosystem services, and the market of forest-related products and services.
Discussions will then focus on strategies for prevention and response, including good practices for large-scale disturbance management, resilience-building measures, and the role of salvage logging, particularly in protected areas. A dedicated policy session will explore the governance implications of rising disturbance risks, the role of EU and national strategies, and ways to integrate their economic, ecological, and social dimensions in forest policy. Case studies and best practices in recovery and restoration will further illustrate effective approaches from different regions.
Young scientists will have the opportunity to present their research through pitch talks and poster sessions.
Opening and introduction
Observed and expected Impacts of disturbances
Moderator: Dr. Marcus Lindner, Head of Resilience Programme
Current and future trends in forest disturbance
Dr. Werner Rammer, Technical University of Munich
Effects on forest resilience, biodiversity, and the carbon sink
Prof. Dr. Thomas Pugh, Lund University
Impacts on the supply of wood and other ecosystem services
Dr. Annechien Dirkje Brudermann, University of Graz
Q&A
Strategies for prevention and responses to disturbances
Moderator:
Good practices for large-scale disturbance response
Prof. Dr. Tomás Hlásny, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
Practical approaches to enhancing forest resilience and reducing disturbance risks
Salvage logging: How to minimise the negative impacts on biodiversity and resilience of the future forest
Q&A
Young Scientists: Pitch talks (5 x 60”) – follow-up poster session
Coffee break
Interactive panel discussions: Policy & management responses
Policy context & EU response
EU Forest Strategy 2030 and its importance for managing emerging risks to forests
1. Policy & Governance implications
Moderated panel discussion
- TBC
- Vera Steinberg, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany
- Tomas Krejzar, Ministry of Agriculture, Czech Republic
- TBC
Young Scientists: Pitch talks (5 x 60”) – follow-up poster session
Lunch
Forest Europe initiative on sharing knowledge and best practices (FORISK facility)
Silvia Abruscato, Senior Expert, EFI
2. Best practices & case studies in disturbance response
Moderated panel discussion
- TBC
- Maria Iwarsson Wide, Skogforsk
- Dr. Miloš Ježek, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
Wrap-up & Closing
Moderated discussion: Key takeaways and recommendations
Closing remarks and next steps
Networking cocktail
Final reflections from key speakers and organizers
Informal discussions & networking opportunity