Project/activity information

The objective of the workshop was to achieve a focused research agenda that will make most effective use of available and potential scientific resources in the development of techniques for restoring tropical forests, by:

a) preparing an agenda for the advancement of research on forest restoration for wildlife conservation in South-East Asia's seasonally dry tropical forests; and
b) establishing a protocol for the exchange of information on forest restoration research throughout South-East Asia.

The project organized the workshop on "Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation" hosted by the University of Chiang Mai, Thailand in collaboration with IUFRO, the British Council, and Shell International Renewables Ltd. A team of scientists from Forest Restoration Research Unit, University of Chiang Mai was assigned to conduct the preparation of the workshop. The team determined the following topics and consulted relevant institution and scientists in order to develop the Workshop's programme:

1. Review of projects related to forest restoration;
2. The ecology and manipulation of natural regeneration;
3. Species selection and technologies for growing seedlings;
4. Tree plantings and silviculture;
5 Interactions between wildlife and forest restoration;
6. Community involvement in forest restoration for wildlife; and
7. Research agenda and regional network.

The Workshop was successfully conducted from 31 January to 4 February 2000 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and was attended by 85 participants from 15 different countries. The participants were co-sponsored by IUCN, the British Council, the Biodiversity Research and Training Programme, Government of Thailand, and Shell International Renewables Ltd. Twenty-five papers were presented and discussed during the workshop. An agenda of Research on Forest Restoration has been developed and research priorities were identified.

The Workshop has facilitated the exchange of views among participants and the development of a relevant research agenda for networking and its priority areas. The results will be disseminated through Workshop Proceedings.