Expert Panel on Adaptation of Forests to Climate Change
Introduction
The world’s forests and climate are closely interlinked. Forests help regulate local and regional rainfall and help slow global warming by storing and sequestering carbon. Forests are also home to more than half of all terrestrial species and are sources of wood products, food, medicine and other essential goods and services. At the same time, deforestation causes a major part of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Changes in the climatic system significantly affect the world’s forests causing changes in the physiology, structure, composition and health of these ecosystems. Key environmental services provided by forests, including their ability to serve as carbon sinks, are also at risk. Increasingly, the multiple social and economic effects of these changes on rural livelihoods and the forest sector are being recognized, too.
By developing suitable responses to adaptation, harmful effects of climate change on forests and trees can be moderated and beneficial opportunities for people and nature can be exploited. In this context, the Joint Initiative on Science and Technology aims at making a global contribution to the development of adaptation strategies, policies and measures that are based on the best knowledge available from multiple sources.
This topic of adaptation of forests to climate change was identified as a priority theme by policy makers during consultations regarding potential themes for reports by the Joint Initiative. Consultations with policy makers were held on the occasion of the seventh session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (April 2007) and the twelfth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the Convention on Biological Diversity (July 2007).
Based on the clear guidance received from policy makers, the Joint Initiative decided in September 2007 to set up an Expert Panel on Adaptation of Forests to Climate Change, the first thematic panel to be established in the framework of the Joint Initiative on Science and Technology. It is the task of this Expert Panel to comprehensively assess the state-of-knowledge regarding the adaptation of forests to climate change. The assessment report to be prepared by the Expert Panel fits particularly well under the overall theme of “Forests in a Changing Environment” of the 8th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests scheduled to be held from 20 April to 1 May 2009. It can also contribute significantly to the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Terms of Reference
Building on the information provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other relevant sources, the Expert Panel will carry out a sector-specific assessment of current knowledge concerning
- the interrelation between forest ecosystems and the services provided by them, and the climate;
- observed changes and responses in forest ecosystems to climate change;
- threats and likely future impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems and socio-economic impacts on the forest sector;
- adaptation practices, options, constraints and capacity;
When assessing such knowledge and preparing the report, the Expert Panel will recognize the multiple spatial and temporal scales involved. The work of the Expert Panel will be based on existing results, information and knowledge. It shall not be the task of the Expert Panel to carry out research or to monitor climate or forest related data or other relevant parameters.
In October 2007 the Steering Committee of the Joint Initiative on Science and Technology approved the Terms of Reference for the Expert Panel which, among others, set out the modalities of work, main activities and suggested time schedule. To view the Terms of Reference, click 
here.
Composition
- Risto Seppälä, Chair
The Expert Panel consists of a limited number of scientists with outstanding scientific expertise on issues related to forests and adaptation. It is chaired by Mr. Risto Seppälä.
The Expert Panel Members have been selected with a view to achieving the best possible coverage and balance in terms of areas of expertise, regions, gender and cultural diversity. The Panel includes both senior and junior level scientists. Several Panel members are key experts also in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Click here to see the list of Expert Panel Members.
Activities
The Expert Panel on Adaptation of Forests to Climate Change will meet three times during the course of 2008 to draft a copy of the Assessment Report which will be submitted for external review by experts in October 2008. After this review has been completed the report will be referred to the Steering Committee prior to being professionally edited, and published by early 2009 in time for the 8th session of the UNFF.
