Dear forest health (IUFRO Div. 7) researchers: Do you have studies showing how biodiversity helps to manage high-value species (such as the Meliaceae) or how high value timbers help to conserve biodiversity? Below is an idea for a technical session for the IUFRO 2014 World Congress relating high value tropical timbers and biodiversity Any suggestions would be most welcome, including reorientation of this potential session. Collaboration with a unit of Divison 7 on this session would be great. If you would like to participate in the session, could you please send me a draft title for your contribution? Please also send this on to anyone else who might be interested. Please send any ideas by April 17, since session proposals are due April 30. ********************************** *How does biodiversity help to manage high-value timber species, and vice-versa?* *Valuable tropical timbers, such as many Meliaceae, remain in high demand, casting a shadow over prospects for these species and their forests. However, management of high-value tropical timber species may help conserve the biodiversity of the forests they inhabit. Conversely, biodiversity may contribute to the health of individual trees and populations of these species. This session seeks to explore positive, reciprocal relationships between biodiversity and high-value timber species (including in plantations).* ************************************ Thanks! Sheila Ward Deputy Coordinator Working party 1.02.04 – Sustainable management and genetic resources in Meliaceae