8.04.07 - Radioactive contamination of forest ecosystems
Unit 8.04.07
UNIT NOTICEBOARD
Forest radioecology session at the IUFRO World Congress in Stockholm
As in the World Congresses in 2014 (USA) and 2019 (Brazil), a forest radioecology session was held in the World Congress (23 to 29 June 2024). We had 8 oral presentations and 15 poster presentations. During the Congress we had a business meeting for further discussions and a dinner together in a nice restaurant in the center of Stockholm.
Shoji Hashimoto, Japan
About Unit
The unit focuses on the radioactive contamination in forest ecosystems. Objectives are to clarify the behaviour of radionuclides in forest ecosystems and to develop countermeasures to radioactive contamination in order to support forest production and forest utilization.
State of Knowledge
The unit will address three main topics:
1. Monitoring and modelling of radionuclide dynamics in forest ecosystems:
Monitoring and modelling is essential for developing countermeasures because radionuclides such as cesium 137 and strontium 90 are expected to remain in forest ecosystems for long time.
2. Mechanisms of radiocesium transfer in forest ecosystems:
Living biomass can take up radiocesium as analogue of potassium. Most mushrooms and some plants show high transfer factor rate, but the mechanisms are not clear.
3. Countermeasures and management in contaminated forests:
Forests are complex ecosystems and occupy large territories, so decontamination is generally not suitable for forest land. There is an urgent need for developing specific guidelines and best practices for managing forests affected by radioactive contamination.