IBFRA History

The International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) was formed in 1991 with the mission to " promote and co-ordinate research to increase the understanding of the role of the circumpolar boreal forest in the global environment and the effects of environmental change upon that role." The impetus for the formation of IBFRA was the "White Sea Declaration," which was drafted at an International Field Expedition to Arkhangelsk Russia in 1990 at which the unique environmental and ecological factors of the region were discussed. Since its 1991 Founding Meeting in the Ukraine, IBFRA has held well attended International Science Conferences in:

• USA (1992, 1997 and 2004),


• Norway and Sweden (1993)


• Canada (1994 and 2000)


• Finland (1995)


• Norway (1998)


• Russia (1996 and 2002)


• Sweden (2006)


• China (2008)


• Russia (2011)

The conferences have focused on issues of global concern, such as global change, biodiversity, climate change, disturbances, and the global carbon cycle, as well as on issues requiring increased coordination within the boreal community such as classification, inventory, and monitoring. All conferences have directly or indirectly contributed to an increased understanding of the science supporting sustainable development in the circumpolar region. Right now IBFRA's work is very important, as we all are struggling with the implications of Climate Change and the need for Carbon mitigation. The boreal forests will be a key factor in that aspect. The outcome of several of these conferences has been significant contributions to peer-reviewed literature as special issues of international journals, which can be found here.