In this keynote lecture, Andrew Liebhold presents his vision for the Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre in Prague, a hub designed to bring together leading scientists from around the world to confront one of the most pressing challenges facing forests today.
He explains why invasive pests and pathogens represent a global threat to biodiversity, timber resources, and ecosystem services, and why solutions demand approaches that move beyond local case studies toward broad comparative analyses and global synthesis.
Liebhold emphasizes the importance of collaborative networks, data sharing, and cross-border coordination, showing how only by linking ecology, economics, and policy can we build effective strategies. This lecture sets the stage for FISC’s mission: to advance science that not only diagnoses the problem but also guides real-world action to secure resilient forests for generations to come.
Dr. Andrew Liebhold is a forest entomologist and one of the world’s leading experts on biological invasions in forests. After 37 years with the USDA Forest Service, he has continued to shape the field through international collaboration, leadership in IUFRO task forces and synthesis centres, and service on top scientific journals. A frequent keynote speaker and recipient of awards such as the IUFRO Scientific Achievement Award, he has built a global network advancing strategies to address invasive species and safeguard forests.
Project HIVE 101187384. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
