Forests and wetlands are critical for ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, human recreational activity and product usage (e.g., biom aterials)

IT is imperative that we determine the longevity and stability of these systems into the future. For these reasons, scientific projects supported through the mcintire-stennis program at the college of forest resources and environmental science, at michigan technological university will support multiple initiatives into the next decade that address components of how the forests and wetlands in the surrounding temperate to boreal great lakes region, may change, and what any consequences are likely to flow from these changes. Future forest and wetland systems can be expected to exhibit changes, whether due to the consequences of global-scale alterations (e.g., climate change), or to more local and regional impacts from people and management practices. We will focus on the sustainability and resilience of future forests, examining how disturbances (human or non-human) are impacting both general ecological principles as well as the ecosystem functioning of forest and wetland systems, alongside questioning the production and use of forest biomaterials. This is inclusive of the biotechnology, ecology and forestry disciplines, with multiple foci across the many sub-D isciplines of each, for example including (but not limited to) developmental and organismal biology, genetics and genomics, hydrology, natural resource management, physiology, and soil science. Various techniques, approaches and experimental designs will be used B ased on the specific questions to be answered and the system being studied. Communication of findings will target the scientific community, the natural resource management community and the public, where appropriate, to contribute to a greater understanding of the sustainability and resilience of regional and national forest systems. Through the scientific research supported by this program, we expect to substantially increase our capacities to respond to, and to mitigate any, future negative consequences of forest and wetland change. Initiatives will intersect conservation, restoration and management practices for the continued sustainability and resilience of forests and wetlands into the future.