Crossing disciplinary boundaries in forest research: An international challenge

It is generally recognized that improving our understanding of forest-related research problems will involve amalgamating knowledge and methods from different disciplines. The presence of complex values within complex systems has persuaded many scientists engaged in forestry-related research to begin exploring cross-disciplinary paradigms in order to transcend the limitations of traditional disciplinary thinking. It has been suggested that authentic interdisciplinary programs in the sciences remain rare and that academic departments, academic supervisors and funding agencies present the main barriers to effective cross-disciplinary research among scientists. Despite these barriers, scientists around the world are increasingly approaching their research problems from a cross-disciplinary perspective to provide meaningful solutions to complex environmental problems.