14 January 2015: The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has released the results of the T20Q online survey and consultation, which aimed to identify the top 20 research questions on forestry and landscapes.

Overall, the process revealed that the restoration of degraded ecosystems is the top priority for further research followed by the challenge of sustainably managing tropical forests amid increasing pressures from agriculture and other land uses. Other research questions identified as priorities by T20Q touch on the need to balance environmental benefits with economic development and trade.

A number of questions among the top 20 focus on stakeholder participation, including: recognizing traditional knowledge, innovations and practices; strengthening land tenure and use rights; and ensuring that land and forest management practices are responsive to local needs.

Finally, the issue of trade-offs between different ecosystem services, especially biodiversity and carbon, and financing options to promote conservation and sustainable use were also considered as important research priorities.

The project, launched in May 2014, received more than 2,800 submissions from 104 countries. CIFOR is part of the CGIAR Consortium. [CIFOR Press Release] [The Top 20 Questions for Forestry and Landscapes]