Call for Papers - Tropical Forestry

Potential Drivers of Land Use Change in the Tropics:
Impacts of Bioenergy and Avoided Deforestation

Yale's International Society of Tropical Foresters
Annual conference
March 27-29, 2008
See attached.

Accepting proposals until January 10, 2008. Please send all proposals to YaleISTF@gmail.com

Historically, land use decisions in the Tropics were largely made at a local level in response to diverse temporal and spatial drivers. However, today, the realization that altering natural ecosystems has broader implications makes these decisions an issue of global interest. In recent months, worldwide attention on tropical forests has increased, as biofuels are being explored as alternative energy sources and avoided deforestation was a major discussion point at the recent UN Conference of the Parties (13) in Bali, Indonesia.

In Spring 2008 (March 27-29), the Yale Chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters will host a conference focused on the potential impacts of bioenergy and avoided deforestation on tropical landscapes. While both are potential approaches to offsetting carbon emissions, bioenergy generation and avoided deforestation could have significantly different impacts on tropical landscapes. The discussion will be driven by questions such as:

•Can global policies like REDD effectively abate tropical deforestation?
•Will the growing interest in bioenergy pose a threat to tropical forest conservation?
•Is bioenergy a tool for tropical forest conservation or a catalyst of its destruction?
•Is biofuel production and avoided deforestation compatible?

To apply: We encourage abstracts based on primary research, or personal or institutional experience. Selected participants will present full papers at the conference. Abstracts should be a maximum of 500 words with the following information:

•Name(s) of the author(s)
•Title and abstract of the paper to be presented
•Institution(s) or organization(s) of author(s)' affiliation(s)
•Address, telephone, fax and e-mail of the corresponding author

Please send abstracts by
January 10, 2008, electronically or by mail to:Yale ISTF Conferencec/o Tropical Resource InstituteYale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies210 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511Email: yaleistf@gmail.comSelected participants will present full papers at the conference. Airfare and expenses will be paid for.

Who we are: The Yale Chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters participates in a range of social, educational, and professional activities that promote the sharing of experiences and knowledge related to resource management in tropical countries. Each year, ISTF organizes a two-day conference, bringing together representatives of governments, universities, and environmental and development organizations to discuss an emerging topic in the tropics.