Excerpts from the Foreword by Dr Otso Huitu:

"The Finnish Forest Research Institute and the University of Turku provided a forum for ca. 130 delegates from 30 countries across the globe to discuss their work and recent advances in the fields of basic research in vertebrate biology and ecology, methodology and legislation and their application in wildlife management.

In Northern Europe, both ecosystems and challenges associated with wildlife management differ in many aspects from those of Central and Southern Europe, let alone those in the tropics. Yet, in more ways than one, our ultimate aims and means are similar – we all strive to balance the maintenance of ecosystem functioning on one hand with the prevention of economic, health or aesthetic losses to pest species.

The presentations selected for EVPMC9 comprise a superb review of vertebrate pest management research topics across the world, not only Europe. We can be particularly pleased with the latitudinal breadth of research topics on offer – the conference will provide a unique opportunity for scientists from all diverse corners of the world, North and South, to convene and address their respective management issues together with the novel eyes of newly-found colleagues.

Cover: Otso Huitu and Jouni Hyvärinen Layout: Irene Murtovaara Printed in: Painosalama, 2013