Download the workshop flyer here

Download the final schedule here

Download workshop logistics and map here

Background:

There is a need for improved understanding – and promotion – of biomass production in landscapes that generate multiple ecosystem services and support biodiversity. Governance of land use and other activities shaping our landscapes requires methods to assess impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. A multitude of approaches exist that address biodiversity and ecosystem services on different spatial and temporal scales. This diversity is important for advancing science and knowledge, but can create difficulties in situations where governance agreements are to be made. This is particularly complex in a context where multiple goals need to be considered, e.g., mitigation of climate impacts from land use, promotion of renewable energy, increased food production, and more sustainable resource management in general. The advancement of science and knowledge needs to be managed in parallel with processes informing governance based on the current state of knowledge. This is a challenging task, which can be supported through structured information exchange and collaboration engaging researchers and other actors involved with governance. 

Workshop aim and scope: 

This workshop aims to (i) facilitate the sharing of views and experiences and (ii) provide the basis for a publication about methodologies and tools for assessing land-use impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems services, including an agenda for further advancement of science and knowledge in support of governance agreements on landscape management and design for food, bioenergy and the bioeconomy. The workshop concerns terrestrial ecosystems and both agriculture and forestry activities. The management of aquatic resources is not included, but impacts on aquatic ecosystems are considered. Invitation of presentation proposals: We welcome presentation proposals addressing methodology and/or governance aspects. Concrete case studies of land-use impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services are welcome when these provide important insights into methodology and governance issues. The number of presentations will be limited so as to leave ample room for discussions, but special issue publication options will be explored if a sufficient number of proposals are received.

Expected outcome:

A workshop outcome report is planned. The option to publish an IEA Bioenergy position paper is investigated. Since several of the organizers are expected to arrange workshops/seminars on related topics in the coming years, we propose to consider this workshop a useful opportunity for networking and development of collaboration plans as well as for identify important research questions that can be addressed in later meetings.

Contact persons:

Göran Berndes goran.berndes@chalmers.se
Madelene Ostwald madelene.ostwald@chalmers.se

Participation notice should be sent to: Eskil Matsson: eskil.mattsson@chalmers.se 

Deadline: 9 March, at 9 AM

Organizing Committee: 

Göran Berndes, Chalmers University of Technology
Christel Cederberg, Chalmers University of Technology
Nicholas Clarke, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, NIBIO
Gert Nyberg, Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences
Madelene Ostwald, Centre for Environment and Sustainability, GMV
Inge Stupak, University of Copenhagen
Raija Laiho, Natural Resources Institute Finland, LUKE

Organizers: 

The workshop is organized in cooperation with the Global Bioenergy Partnership GBEP AG6 “Bioenergy and Water” by the following organizations:

• IEA Bioenergy Task 43 - Biomass Feedstocks for Energy Markets

• Agriculture for Food Security programme, AgriFoSe

• NKJ-SNS Network “Effects of bioenergy production from forests and agriculture on ecosystem services in Nordic and Baltic landscapes”

• Focali, The Forest, Climate, and Livelihood research network - SIANI, The Swedish International Agricultural Network Initiative, joint theme Forests Landscapes and Food Security

• Chalmers Energy Area of Advance: Energy in a Circular Economy

• Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA), Committee for Energy Issues