By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 15: The Living Labs for Wetland Research (LiWeFoR) Seminar 2024 will address the need to systematically raise the level of expertise among researchers and decision-makers while enhancing career awareness, enabling a capable workforce, and promoting science-related careers.
According to Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (TROPI) director Dr Lulie Melling, the research and education project aims to establish and develop a global network of Living Labs of wetland forest research, education, and management.
In her welcoming address during the seminar today, Lulie said that the project involves partners from various global institutions, including the University of Helsinki, Finland; the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany; the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute (IIAP), Peru; and the University of Tartu as the recipient under the EU Research Funding.
“We are delighted to have in attendance a diverse group of researchers, scientists, academics, graduate students, and stakeholders.
“Your expertise and contributions will be vital as we explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing our wetland forests and the broader environment,” she said during the opening of the seminar held at Tropi in Kota Samarahan today.
She elaborated that the major focus of LiWeFoR is on the closing the knowledge and experience gap between the donor and recipient partners; building carbon and nutrient management strategies for temperate and tropical wetland forests involving stakeholders and policymakers; creating an open data repository of GHG measurements and environmental factors in wetland forests; and constructing a basis for global spread of the Living Labs network of wetland forest research and education.
“I want to encourage everyone to engage actively in the discussions, share your insights, and seize the opportunity to collaborate with peers from various institutions and regions.
“Together, we can create a robust network that will drive forward impactful research and sustainable management practices for wetland ecosystems,” she said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Ülo Mander from the University of Tartu pointed out that the LiWeFoR project was setting a new benchmark in wetland forest research.
“Today’s seminar marks a significant step toward global cooperation in addressing climate change challenges through tropical peatland and wetland forest research,” he said.
According to a press release, the one-day seminar was co-organised by Tropi and the University of Tartu in Estonia, in collaboration with the Malaysia Peat Society (MPS) and is connected to the International Conference on Tropical Sciences (TropSc2024), scheduled for Oct 16–17 in Kuching.
During the seminar, 15 oral presentations and several posters will be delivered by researchers and PhD students from the participating organisations.
Following the seminar, a two-week field campaign will be conducted in the Maludam peatland forest, as well as in oil palm plantations across Sri Aman, Betong, and Sibu.
— DayakDaily
