20.11.2008 - RMK to fund applied research with MEEK 3.2 04.10

Of the applications submitted to the contest for applied research, announced this summer by the Research Council of the State Forest Management Centre (RMK), the Management Board of RMK selected three projects that will be funded with more than MEEK 3.2.

“The changing environmental and economic conditions require flexibility and innovativeness from the manager of the forest, but also new knowledge for coping in the changing conditions,” said Aigar Kallas, Chairman of Board of RMK, explaining the need for ordering applied research. According to Aigar Kallas, all projects that are granted funding are related to topics important for RMK.

A total of eight applications were submitted and the desired funding volume of the applications assessed exceeded MEEK 6. Three projects were selected for funding:
• the species that depend on bark and timber in Estonia, which are endangered in relation to the introduction of clear cut areas; the term of the project is 36 months and the volume of funding MEEK 0.6; project manager is Piret Lõhmus from the University of Tartu;
• the effect of forest drainage on potentially endangered biota; the term of the project is 36 months and the volume of funding MEEK 1.4; project manager is Raul Rosenvald from the Estonian University of Life Sciences;
• improvement of the models for the increase in forest stand survey criteria; the term of the project is 36 months and the volume of funding MEEK 1.2; project manager is Andres Kiviste from the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The Research Council and Management Board of RMK are grateful to all those who submitted an application to the contest. Upon the assessment of the applications for applied research, RMK was assisted by the Research Council of RMK, but the decision on the funding of the applications was made by the Management Board of RMK. The Research Council of RMK is an assembly of scientists and specialised experts, established by the decision of the Management Board of RMK, who advise the Management Board of RMK in ordering the applied research related to forest management.

The members of the Research Council are Asko Lõhmus, Head of the conservation biology group at Tartu University, Professor Krista Lõhmus, Head of the Chair of Ecophysiology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Professor Kalev Sepp, Head of the Department of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Professor Rein Ahas, Head of the Chair of Human Geography and Regional Planning at Tartu University, and Kalev Jõgiste, Head of the Department of Forest Biology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences. In addition to academic experts, the Research Council also includes Andres Onemar and Kristjan Tõnisson, employees of RMK.

In the years 2008-2011, RMK will fund applied research with at least MEEK 4.

RMK is a profit-making state agency established under the Forestry Act, aimed at sustainable and efficient management of the state forest. RMK grows reforestation materials, organises forestry works, is engaged in the sale of forest and timber and organises game upkeep. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for hiking in nature and forest recreation on recreational areas, and shapes awareness of nature. RMK manages 38% of Estonia’s forests.

Additional information:
Kristjan Tõnisson
Head Specialist of Environmental Management of RMK
Telephone +372 676 7728, +372 5691 8728
E-mail: kristjan.tonissonrmk.ee