• Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Forestry and Conservation Efforts:

Recognizing the value of traditional ecological knowledge held by indigenous and local communities in managing forests sustainably. Exploring how these insights can complement scientific research and policy-making, and addressing the ethical considerations of knowledge co-production.​​

​

• Climate-Smart Forestry: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change in Forest Ecosystems:

Focusing on the importance of urban forests and green spaces in enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate impacts (e.g., urban heat islands), and improving human well-being. Discussing the challenges of integrating green infrastructure into urban planning and governance.

​

• Urban Forestry and the Role of Green Infrastructure in Sustainable Cities:

Focusing on the importance of urban forests and green spaces in enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate impacts (e.g., urban heat islands), and improving human well-being. Discussing the challenges of integrating green infrastructure into urban planning and governance.

​

• The Role of Forest Ecosystems in Global Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services:

Examining the critical role forests play in maintaining global biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services such as water purification, carbon storage, and soil stabilization. This topic could explore the need for robust conservation policies and international cooperation.

​

• Socio-Ecological Systems and Forest Governance in the Anthropocene:

Investigating how governance structures at local, national, and international levels affect forest management and conservation. Emphasizing the importance of inclusive decision-making processes that consider the socio-ecological dimensions of forests.

​

• Technology and Innovation in Forest Conservation: Remote Sensing, GIS, and AI Applications:

Exploring how cutting-edge technologies like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, different sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming forest monitoring, management, and conservation practices. Discuss the potential for these tools to enhance data collection and inform decision-making. Including support for biodiversity monitoring in forested ecosystems (CBD, SDG’s)

 

• Forest Restoration and Rewilding in the Context of the Global Biodiversity Crisis:

This topic would focus on efforts to restore degraded forests and rewild landscapes to recover lost biodiversity, promote ecological resilience, and sequester carbon. It could explore the ecological and socio-economic challenges of large-scale restoration projects.

​

• The Role of Forest Ecosystems in the Global Carbon Cycle and Climate Change Mitigation:

Delving into the significance of forests as carbon sinks and the potential they offer in mitigating climate change. Discuss the scientific basis of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and other carbon credit programs, and their effectiveness.

​

​

These expanded topics aim to deepen the understanding of forest ecosystems and promote collaboration across disciplines and communities to address the challenges of our changing world.​ We want to achieve that by promoting knowledge exchange among researchers, students, professionals, and stakeholders interested in forest ecosystems, encouraging regionally and globally relevant insight.