The purpose of the workshop is

• to present the latest assessment of conditions in the timberline region gained through the numerous research projects carried out during the period of 2000- 2002 and
• to prepare conclusions and recommendations on sustainable development in the northern timberline region (i.e. tundra – taiga zone) for the Arctic Council ministerial meeting in late autumn 2002.

Special emphasis will be paid to the social and economic consequences of global change in the region and to the ecosystem management in these regions.

Tentative topical themes have been suggested for the workshop sections

1. Socio-economic conditions and challenges of local populations in the northern timberline forests: access to and utilization of resources.
2. Timber resource management systems: internal and external political and economic interests and sustainability.
3. Interrelationships between flora (timber) and fauna (reindeer/caribou) in the timberline zone.
4. Current and future environmental conditions (biodiversity) of the northern timberline ecosystem.

More information

• Detailed information on programme, Call for papers and practical arrangements can be found in the Second Announcement of the meeting (pdf).
• Contacts
  Marja Liisa Sutinen, marja-liisa.sutinen@metla.fi
  Finnish Forest Research Institute, FIN-95900 Kolari, Finland