RMK Research Council awaiting research topic proposals 26.01
The RMK Research Council is awaiting proposals, until 8 February, for topics related to sustainable forestry to be included on the list of priority research areas. A new call for proposals will be announced in mid-February.
The RMK Research Council, comprised of researchers and specialists, annually reviews the topic areas for applied research funded by RMK. “Through research, we wish to identify more sustainable solutions for forest management, to implement species protection and provide quality raw materials for the timber industry in the best manner possible,” said Kristjan Tõnisson, Chief Specialist of the Nature Protection Department at RMK, explaining the need for involving the broadest possible range of specialists in the definition of research areas.
The RMK Research Council will select ten topic areas, for which more specific ideas are invited in the application round opening in February. Previous topics that continue to be relevant include, for example, the more efficient use of energy wood, forest disturbance regime, productivity and biodiversity of deciduous stands, potential for selective and design cutting in Estonia, assessing the efficiency of forest cultivation activities, ecological functionality of protected areas, long-term growth trends of stands, and the effect of viral diseases on Estonian forests. Before it announces a new call for proposals, the RMK Research Council itself will put forward proposals on the addition of priority topic areas.
Please send a brief description of the proposed research topic by 8 February 2016, at the latest, to the address teadus@rmk.ee; the form for this can be found at rmk.ee/teadus.
The final list of priority research topics, along with any potential additional suggestions that are received, will be approved by 12 February, when the sixth round of applications for RMK’s research projects will be opened and the RMK research seminar will be held (click here to register for the seminar).
RMK began targeted support for research work in 2008. To date, 14 applied research projects have been funded in the total sum of over EUR 1 million. Members of the RMK Research Council include Asko Lõhmus, Krista Lõhmus and Ülo Mander from the University of Tartu; Hardi Tullus, Kalev Jõgiste and Kalev Sepp from the Estonian University of Life Sciences; and Aigar Kallas and Kristjan Tõnisson from RMK.
RMK is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Estonian state. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing reforestation material, and organising forest and nature conservation works. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for nature walking in recreational and protected areas and fosters nature awareness. RMK consists of the Sagadi Forest Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, the Tartu Tree Nursery, AS Eesti Metsataim and the Põlula Fish Farm. More than 700 people work for RMK; however, the total number of people employed in the state forest is 5000.
Further
information:
Kristjan Tõnisson
RMK Nature Protection Department Chief Specialist
Tel: 5691 8728
E-mail: kristjan.tonisson@rmk.ee
