Dear IUFRO Working Party on Resource Data in the Tropics:
The announcement below may be of interest.
Regards,
Sheila Ward
Coordinator
IUFRO WP 4.02.01 - Resource data in the tropics
https://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-4/40000/40200/40201/
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: IUFRO <headquarters(a)news.iufro.org>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Subject: [IUFRO Div 8] Forests to fall victim to "the Humpty Dumpty
effect": leading scientists reveal a precautionary tale
To: <div8(a)lists.iufro.org>
*International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)*
5 June 2025 / view in browser
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: IUFRO Logo]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: text] <#m_-3106213089762013594_>
*Forests to fall victim to “the Humpty Dumpty effect”: leading scientists
reveal a precautionary tale <#m_-3106213089762013594_>*
- A collapsed society and economy cannot be 'put back together again',
scientists warn in the International Union of Forest Research
Organizations' latest report.
- The report explores for the first time, the role of forests in
upholding and enhancing the resilience of social and economic systems.
- Science shows that regardless of proximity to forests, global
economies and societies rely on forests in deeply complex ways, and
political shifts can leave forest socio-ecological systems extremely
vulnerable.
- 'Business as usual' policy making will fail. Scientists are
recommending proactive, bottom-up, long-term approaches over short-term
economic gain, to preserve the foundations of society.
*Find the media release in English, German and French **here*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
.
*Vienna, 5 June 2025* - A global report on the role of forests in providing
economic and social resilience, has revealed that the rapid pursuit of
economic growth, coupled with a critical misunderstanding of how forests
can preserve resilience, has set a path for undoable destruction.
Researchers have dubbed this "The Humpty Dumpty Effect".
Research shows that forests are being pushed to the brink of collapse,
which could send ripple effects across the globe, destabilising societies
and economies, and just as the nursery rhyme warns, collapsed systems
cannot be 'put back together again'.
Launched today on World Environment Day, this report is the first of its
kind. Leading scientists convened by the International Union of Forest
Research Organizations (IUFRO) to explore, for the first time globally, how
forests contribute to social and economic resilience in the face of
disturbance and change, and how societies can, in turn, support and steward
resilient forest systems. Scientists are calling on policymakers to abandon
business as usual and recognise that forests are not isolated systems but
instead exist as social-ecological systems (SES).
In this vein, the world's forests are not immune to global regime shifts.
As political polarisation grows, climate change is becoming deprioritised,
and markets are shifting in response, and changing the way in which we rely
on, manage, and protect our forests. Scientists warn that by failing to
uphold forest resilience, we are pushing them beyond the point of recovery.
*Dr. Craig Allen, Resilience Scientist and Professor at the School of
Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln said:* "It's not
just the trees that fall - it's a whole web of relationships between
species, soil, water, and people that unravels. Once disrupted, these
relationships can't simply be 'replanted'. We need proactive resilience
building now, rooted in science, justice and long-term thinking."
Indigenous Peoples and local communities have long been championed as the
custodians of our forests, often disproportionately impacted by the onset
of climate change. Whilst this is true, the report highlights that
policymakers underestimate the growing ways in which our world is
interconnected.
*Dr. Nelson Grima, Coordinator of the Science-Policy Programme at IUFRO
said: *"When we destabilise forests, the impacts can be felt across all
regions and economies. Forests are everyone's business - not just those
living nearby. Every person relies on forests to either regulate their
climate, sequester carbon, or to alleviate poverty, ensure food and clean
water or to keep economies stable. It's not about proximity."
IUFRO's report recommends how policymakers can improve and better
understand how forests uphold social and economic resilience in ways that
acknowledge the world's interconnectedness. Economic prosperity cannot be
considered synonymous with improving the resilience of social-ecological
systems, in fact, it's often quite the contrary.
On World Environment Day IUFRO is calling on policymakers and
decision-makers to transform their understanding of the challenges and
solutions our forests face, and to move from reactive, short-term, siloed
decision-making to long-term, proactive, systems-based approaches that
treat forests as part of our social, economic, and environmental fabric.
*#ENDS#*
________________________
*Notes To Editors:*
*Find the report and related policy brief: **here*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*Direct link to report*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*More details, photos and a list of authors: **here*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
________________________
*The report launch event details are listed below:*
Online roundtable: *Findings from a New Global Assessment on Forests for
Social and Economic Resilience*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
World Environment Day, *05th June 2025, 2pm CEST* (online)
*Agenda*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
Hosted by IUFRO Science-Policy Programme
*Registration*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*About the report:*
This report, titled "Forests as pillars of social and economic resilience",
presents the results of the ninth global scientific assessment undertaken
within the framework of the IUFRO-led Global Forest Expert Panels (GFEP)
Initiative of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF). All GFEP
assessments are prepared by internationally recognised scientists from
varied professional backgrounds and geographical contexts. The publications
are presented to stakeholders across relevant international policy fora to
support more coherent policies on the role of forests in addressing the
environmental, social, and economic challenges reflected in the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
________________________
*Media contact: *
Áine Curtin: *aine(at)browningenvironmental.com*
<aine(a)browningenvironmental.com> / +44 7818 808827
*IUFRO contact:*:
Gerda Wolfrum, *wolfrum(at)iufro.org* <wolfrum(a)iufro.org> / +43 1 8770151 17
________________________
*About the Science-Policy Programme (SciPol) of IUFRO:*
The Science-Policy Programme (SciPol) of IUFRO provides a mechanism for
effectively mobilizing scientific expertise and information to equip
governments and intergovernmental processes with solid knowledge for making
decisions that affect forests, trees, and land use regionally and globally.
Visit: *IUFRO: Science-Policy Programme*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*About the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO):*
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) is a
non-profit and non-governmental worldwide network of 15,000 forest
scientists across 120 countries, who work together to enhance the
understanding of the ecological, economic and social aspects of forests and
trees. Founded in 1892, IUFRO is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
Visit: *https://www.iufro.org/*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*______________________________________________*
*You are receiving this message, because you are an IUFRO member or
officeholder or have registered for one of our web-based email distribution
lists.*
*More information*
IUFRO: Science-Policy Programme
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
Online Roundtabel Launch Event
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
Global Assessment Report on Resilience
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: Bluesky]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: LinkedIn]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: Instagram]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: Facebook]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: YouTube]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
Contact the editor at office(at)iufro.org <office(a)iufro.org> or visit our
website
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>.
Unsubscribe
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: Website]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
_______________________________________________
IUFRO Mailing List
To post a message to all list members, send email to: To unsubscribe send
an email to div8-leave(a)lists.iufro.org
List info and Archive:
http://www.iufro.org/science/iufro-mailing-lists/overview/
Dear IUFRO Working Party on Resource Data in the Tropics:
The announcement below may be of interest.
Regards,
Sheila Ward
Coordinator
IUFRO WP 4.02.01 - Resource data in the tropics
https://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-4/40000/40200/40201/
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: IUFRO <headquarters(a)news.iufro.org>
Date: Mon, Mar 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Subject: Intact Forests Are Essential for Food Security, Highlights Forest
Science
To: <mahoganyforthefuture(a)gmail.com>
*International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)*
24 March 2025 / view in browser
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: IUFRO Logo]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: text] <#m_-1265407713834499929_>
*Intact Forests Are Essential for Food Security, Highlights Forest Science
<#m_-1265407713834499929_>*
- *Forests and trees provide billions of people with food, medicine and
sustainable incomes.*
- *Climate change, biodiversity loss and unsustainable forest management
are making forests weaker and putting their vital services at risk.*
- *The global forest science community calls for the best use of
knowledge to strengthen forests.*
*Vienna, 24 March 2025 -* In 2012, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 21
March as the *International Day of Forests*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>.
In 2025, *forests and foods* is the theme for the day. The
Vienna-based *International
Union of Forest Research Organizations *(IUFRO
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>),
one of the world's largest and oldest research collaborations, is taking
this as an opportunity to emphasize the role of forests and forest science
for food security.
"The importance of healthy and species-rich forests for the environment and
the economy cannot be overestimated," says IUFRO Senior Advisor *Dr
Christoph Wildburger* and highlights the fundamental climate-protecting
function of forests as CO2 and water regulators. "*Forests also ensure
diversified food production*: for example, forests are indispensable for
pollinating insects such as bees. They protect rivers and water catchment
areas thereby preserving the habitat of fish. Forests also provide green
fodder for domestic animals, firewood and protein-rich game meat. They
contribute to the livelihoods of more than five billion people worldwide,"
he says.
*Science and research provide the basis for evidence-based policy*
*IUFRO President Daniela Kleinschmit*, Professor of Forest and
Environmental Policy at Albert-Ludwig University of Freiburg, Germany,
calls on political and economic decision-makers worldwide: "*Findings from
science and research provide a sound basis for recommendations for the
survival of forest ecosystems—and thus for safeguarding human well-being.*
This is of particular importance for people whose livelihoods and food
sources are directly threatened by the consequences of climate change, loss
of biodiversity, and damage to ecosystems."
Anyone who obtains food primarily from forests has a great interest in
keeping them healthy. Ecologically resilient forests guarantee an intact
basic supply, enable cultural vitality, and foster economic progress.
"Forest protection measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and
to preserve biodiversity—especially in tropical regions of the world—are
based on one key success factor: they work best when they are implemented
in agreement with the local people who rely on forests for their immediate
livelihoods and food sources," Professor Kleinschmit explains. "*Forests
can promote the food sovereignty of the local population*. Their
agricultural and forestry expertise is a valuable resource and should be
integrated into political and administrative measures," she adds.
*Forests provide more than timber: food worth billions*
Forests not only provide raw materials for the wood-processing industry but
also food, fuel, and much more. This means income and jobs, especially for
the most vulnerable groups in society worldwide and for people who live
near forests. While farmers and private individuals in many European
countries, for example, primarily value timber from their forests as an
additional source of income, people in other regions of the world rely more
on food and firewood from the forest. The *economic benefits of these
products should not be underestimated*. In 2022, the global trade volume of
pine nuts and wild mushrooms amounted to around 1.8 billion US dollars!
Access to wild food from the forest also provides *more variety in the diet*
and thus *improves health*. Surveys in 24 tropical countries have shown
that the sale of wild foods accounts for four percent of private household
incomes.
*Science delves into the ways forests support food production, health, and
resilience*
For ten years, IUFRO has been examining the contribution of forests to
achieving *global sustainability goals*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
on behalf of the United Nations and conducting comprehensive
interdisciplinary studies as part of its *Science-Policy Programme*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>.
Study coordinator Dr Wildburger explains: "In our *global study on forests
and food security*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
back in 2015, we were able to show how forests and trees complement
agricultural production and thus contribute to livelihoods of the local
population, especially in the poorest regions of the world." Professor
Kleinschmit, co-author of the study, adds: "Science also shows that
agriculture systems that integrate forests and trees are more resilient to
extreme weather events such as heavy rain, drought, or storms."
IUFRO's *global study on forests and water*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*,* published in 2018, emphasizes that forests and trees ensure a balanced
water supply and safeguard water quality. The 2020 assessment on the *role
of forests in poverty reduction*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
shows that trees provide products and services that improve the lives of
many people living in poverty and mitigate risks in crisis situations. In
2023, IUFRO also analyzed the contribution of *forests and trees to human
health*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
and stressed the importance of forests in providing medicines, food, and
other products to strengthen human health.
*New global IUFRO assessment on resilience announced for June 2025*
The aspects addressed in the former publications will be brought together
in a new large-scale study: in June 2025, IUFRO will present a global
assessment on the topic of *Forests for Social and Economic Resilience*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>.
It assesses the multidimensional relationships between forests and social
and economic resilience from different perspectives. To facilitate
evidence-based action by political decision-makers, the team of authors is
producing an accompanying *policy brief* that summarizes the study results
in a compact format.
*Join the launch webinar of the resilience assessment!*
June 5, 2025, International Environment Day, 02:00 pm CEST
*Registration link*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*About International Day of Forests 2025*
- *Watch this* *VIDEO*
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- *Visit the IDF website of FAO*: International Day of Forests 21 March
| FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
- *Visit the IDF website of UNFF*: United Nations Forum on Forests »
UNFF » International Day of Forests 2025
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*About IUFRO*
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
is a non-profit and non-governmental worldwide network of 15,000 forest
scientists across 120 countries, who work together to enhance the
understanding of the ecological, economic and social aspects of forests and
trees. Founded in 1892 IUFRO is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The 29th
IUFRO World Congress will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2029.
*MEDIA CONTACT IUFRO*
Gerda Wolfrum | +43 1 8770151 17 | wolfrum(at)iufro.org <wolfrum(a)iufro.org>
| iufro.org
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
*die jungs kommunikation*
Martin Lengauer | +43 699 1008805 | office(at)diejungs.at
<office(a)diejungs.at> | diejungs.at
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
__________________________
[image: Bluesky]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: LinkedIn]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: Instagram]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: Facebook]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: YouTube]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
Contact the editor at office(at)iufro.org <office(a)iufro.org> or visit our
website
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>.
Unsubscribe
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
[image: Website]
<http://url8074.news.iufro.org/ls/click?upn=u001.C6oMVBOd8j-2B22go-2BVoSNMxp…>
