March 21st is International Day of Forests. The United Nations has designated 1985 and 2011 as the "International Year of Forests”, and has engaged in various activities to respond to the global decline, deterioration  and sustainable management of forests. In 2012, March 21 every year was set as “International Day of Forests” to celebrate and raise awareness of forests and trees around the world. The theme for 2021 is "Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”.

The world is looking for concrete measures for decarbonization ―carbon neutral― to address climate change, not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also just as important is the absorption and storage of carbon from the ocean, soil and forests. In developing countries, deforestation and other disturbing factors are sources of carbon due to changes in land use mainly for agricultural development, and forest management for forest restoration has a large role in carbon absorption and storage.

JIRCAS is pursuing on the development of cultivation and conservation technology for tropical forests to add value to useful tree species in Southeast Asia (Higher value forestry). We are developing and disseminating silvicultural and forest management techniques for indigenous tree species to achieve higher value production, monitoring technology for proper resource management, and utilization of genetic resources to select strains that produce higher value even with the same tree species.

Tropical forests are a treasure trove of useful timber species, but without an understanding of their complex ecosystems and forestry, it is not possible to continue to produce good timber while maintaining the resilience and health of the forest. To contribute to forest management and forestry in the tropics, JIRCAS has been conducting joint research with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) since 1991.

Reference
International Day of Forests (United Nations)
https://www.un.org/en/observances/forests-and-trees-day

Ecology and Silviculture of Dipterocarp Forests in Malaysia  https://www.jircas.go.jp/ja/program/program_c/20160826
The Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS) has published a special issue, "Ecology and Silviculture of Dipterocarp Forests in Malaysia," which summarizes the research results of studies on Dipterocarp forests obtained through many years of joint research collaboration. This special issue (Vol. 28, No.5) focuses on the hillside Dipterocarp forests of the Malaysian Peninsula and particularly on Shorea curtisii, an important commercial timber species, and includes nine papers on the distribution, ecology, forest regeneration, growth and yield of Dipterocarp trees. These new findings, which are the result of observations and insights into forest ecosystems accumulated through long-term cooperation between JIRCAS and FRIM, will greatly contribute to better timber production and forest management in the tropics.

Contributor: KANAMORI Norihito (Research Strategy Office)