Technical Session 1: Forest Carbon Sink: from Mechanisms to Governance for Climate Mitigation

Organizer: IUFRO Task Force-Interaction and Synergy of Carbon “3S” (Sink, Storage and Substitution) in Forest Value Chains

Executive Organizer: Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy of Forestry

Co-organizers: 

1) Institute of Forestry and Grassland Carbon Sequestration

2) Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry;

3) Institute of Ecological Civilization, Beijing University of Technology;

4) Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change;

5) IUFRO 9.04.02- Valuation of ecosystem services and carbon markets;

6) IUFRO 5.12.01-Life Cycle Analysis of Forest Products.

Convener:

Dr. Shuirong Wu, Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy of Forestry;

Dr. Lei Yu, Institute of Forestry and Grassland Carbon Sequestration;

Dr. Hui Wang, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry;

Dr. Xufeng Zhang, Beijing University of Technology.

Contact person: Dr. Shuirong Wu  wushuirong@caf.ac.cn

                           Mr. Zhang Jie    forestcarbon3s@126.com

Brief Introduction:

Forests play a vital role in climate change mitigation through nature-based solutions that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Along forest biomass flows and value chains, this mitigation effect can be understood through three interconnected pillars: carbon sinks in forest ecosystems, carbon storage in long-lived forest products, and carbon substitution through use of forest biomass for bio-based products and materials. However, research and practice related to this forest-based Carbon “3S” framework remain fragmented across disciplines, calling for a more integrated approach to explore their interactions and synergies.

This session will include three major components. First, keynote presentations will be delivered by 4–5 world-leading scientists, including distinguished experts in forest carbon sinks, carbon storage, carbon substitution, ecosystem services, carbon markets, and forest-based climate mitigation. Second, an expert roundtable discussion will be organized to identify emerging research frontiers and priority topics in the field of Carbon “3S”. Third, the session will showcase representative Chinese cases of nature-based solutions related to Carbon “3S” through the IUFRO platform.

We are now calling for participation and contributions from the international research and professional community. For the keynote presentations, we have started to invite distinguished experts, and welcome interested experts to contact the conveners. For the roundtable discussion, we are developing a preliminary set of potential research priorities through literature review and expert consultation, and welcome further input from relevant scholars and practitioners. For the case showcase, we welcome submissions of high-quality Chinese cases related to Carbon “3S”, and a case review committee is being established to select representative examples for presentation.

This session aims to build a shared understanding of the forest-based Carbon “3S” framework, synthesize recent scientific advances and policy implications, and identify future research priorities. It will also provide an international platform for presenting China’s practices in nature-based climate.

Technical Session 2: Biomass Restructuring and Germplasm Innovation for Bamboo Forest under Global Change

Organizer: International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan

Host: International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, China National Bamboo Research Center, National Academy of Innovation for Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Bamboo & Rattan Science and Technology

Co-organizers: IUFRO Division 5 Bamboo and Rattan Working Party 5.11.05

Convener: Prof. Zhimin Gao: gaozhimin@icbr.ac.cn, +86-13683282906;

Associate Prof. Qing Xu: qing.xu@icbr.ac.cn, +86-13552939430

Contact person: Dr. Heng Wang: wangheng@icbr.ac.cn, +86-13811095210

Brief Introduction: In order to address the increasing demand for sustainable management of bamboo resources, enhancement of carbon sink capacity, and the usage of green, low-carbon materials in the context of global change for the “Dual Carbon” strategy and the “Replacing Plastic with Bamboo” initiative, this session is mainly focused on the issue of “Biomass Restructuring and Germplasm Innovation for Bamboo Forest under Global Change”. We plan to invite representatives from research institutions, universities, international organizations, forestry departments and other relevant units worldwide, and 7-8 oral talks will be convened and organized, covering but not limited to the topics of biomass allocation and restructuring, formation basis and regulatory mechanisms of key agronomic traits, gene mining and germplasm innovation, climate change adaptation and technological innovation in bamboo biological breeding and high-value utilization of full components of bamboo biomass. This session aims to establish a collaborative platform for sectors from industry, academia, research, and application to jointly accelerate bamboo research and to foster new productive forces in bamboo industry.

Technical Session 4: AI for Forest Science: From Data to Governance

Topic:

AI-Driven Transformation of Forest Science: Data, Models and Global Governance

Organizer:
IUFRO Task Force “AI for Forest Science” (ForSci-AI)

Hosts:
Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF)
Nanjing Forestry University (NJFU)

Supporting Organizations:
IUFRO Division 4 – Forest Resources Inventory and Monitoring
IUFRO Division 9 – Forest Policy and Economics

Conveners:
Prof. Dr. Liyong Fu (Chinese Academy of Forestry)

Prof. Dr. Lin Cao (Nanjing Forestry University)
Prof. Dr. Xiaodi Zhao (Chinese Academy of Forestry)
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Xiaodi Zhao
Email: zhaoxiaodi@caf.ac.cn

Brief Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming the paradigms of forest science and governance. From intelligent forest monitoring and digital forestry to climate adaptation, carbon accounting, biodiversity conservation, and policy analysis, AI is becoming a key driver in advancing global forest sustainability.

Organized by the IUFRO Task Force "AI for Forest Science (ForSci-AI)", this session brings together experts and scholars from research institutions, universities, international organizations, government agencies, and the industry to explore how AI can foster scientific innovation, improve decision-making, and support the modernization of global forest governance.
     Leading experts will be invited to deliver keynote presentations on cutting-edge AI applications, including remote sensing, LiDAR, digital twins, and large language models in forest resource monitoring, carbon accounting, biodiversity conservation, and management optimization. Discussions will also cover AI governance, data sharing, technological ethics, and international collaboration. A field visit to the Low-altitude Forestry Smart Laboratory will be arranged to demonstrate the practical deployment of AI and low-altitude remote sensing technologies in forestry.
     This session aims to build an international platform for integrating forest science with artificial intelligence, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge sharing, and advancing the responsible application of AI in forest research, management, and governance toward a smart and sustainable future.