The Fourth International Forum
International Young Scientist Forum on Climate Change
AI-Empowered Forest-Based Solutions
The Fourth International Forum
Welcome to IYSF 2026
The Fourth International Young Scientist Forum on Climate Change brings together emerging researchers, leading experts, and global partners under the theme “AI-Empowered Forest-Based Solutions.”
Building on three successful editions, IYSF 2026 offers a focused platform for presenting new research, exchanging ideas, and developing interdisciplinary partnerships across forest science, artificial intelligence, climate action, and sustainable development.
Join us in Fujian, China, on December 8–9, 2026, and help shape the future of forest-based climate solutions.
Conference Themes
Six integrated scientific sessions
AI-Enabled Forest Science
- AI-based forest inventories and biomass estimation
- Satellite, LiDAR and UAV-based forest monitoring
- Machine learning and digital twin forests
- AI-assisted planning and adaptive management
Bamboo Science, Innovation and Sustainable Development
- Bamboo cultivation and ecosystem functions
- Carbon accounting and climate contributions
- Advanced materials and low-carbon substitution
- Green value chains and rural development
Forest Carbon and Nature-Based Climate Solutions
- Forest carbon storage, cycling and accounting
- Climate-smart management and restoration
- Afforestation, reforestation and carbon recovery
- REDD+, carbon markets and co-benefit assessment
Wildfire Risk and Forest Disturbance Forecasting
- Wildfire danger and fire-weather assessment
- Fire behaviour modelling and early warning
- Pest, storm and compound-disturbance monitoring
- AI-enabled forecasting and post-disturbance recovery
Protected Areas, Ecological Hydrology, and Watershed Governance
- National park and nature reserve governance
- Biodiversity conservation and connectivity
- Integrated watershed management and hydrology
- Restoration, water services and climate adaptation
Forests, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being
- Ecosystem-service assessment and natural capital
- Forest recreation, health and urban forestry
- Forest-dependent livelihoods and poverty reduction
- Value realization, justice and social development
Recognition & Excellence
IYSF 2026 Awards
The forum will recognize outstanding oral presentations and posters by young scientists across the six scientific sessions.
Keynote Programme
Keynote Speakers
Mohammed Al-Amin
University of Chittagong
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor, Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences
Mohammed Al-Amin
Forest management · climate change adaptation · GIS and remote sensing
Nitin Arora
UNFCCC secretariat
Lead, UN Climate Change Global Innovation Hub (UGIH), UNFCCC secretariat
Nitin Arora
Climate innovation · carbon markets · systemic solutions for low-emission and climate-resilient development
Cristián Francisco Bonacic Salas
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Professor, School of Agriculture and Natural Systems
Cristián Francisco Bonacic Salas
Wildlife conservation · biodiversity · sustainable wildlife management
Fuliang Cao
Nanjing Forestry University
Academician, Chinese Academy of Engineering · Professor
Fuliang Cao
Silviculture · forest ecology · forest culture · ginkgo · bamboo and non-wood forest cultivation
Jorge Mario Chavez
National Agrarian University La Molina
Professor, Faculty of Forestry Sciences, Peru
Jorge Mario Chavez
Natural resource conservation · protected areas · ecotourism
Analyn L. Codilan
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Professor and Associate Dean
Analyn L. Codilan
Natural resource assessment · forest biometry · forest management
Wirongrong Duangjai
Kasetsart University
Vice Dean for International Affairs and Assistant Professor, Faculty of Forestry
Wirongrong Duangjai
Farm forestry · agroforestry · sustainable land use
Amy Duchelle
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Online Keynote · Senior Forestry Officer and Team Leader, Forests and Climate, FAO
Amy Duchelle
Forests and climate · mitigation and adaptation · integrated fire and risk management · resilient livelihoods
John Innes
University of British Columbia
Dean Emeritus · Forest Renewal BC Chair in Forest Management · Professor
John Innes
Sustainable forest management · forest policy and governance · forest certification · biodiversity conservation · climate change
Siren Lan
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Counsellor, Fujian Provincial People's Government · Former President · Professor
Siren Lan
National parks · protected areas · biodiversity conservation · ecological governance
Haitao Li
University of British Columbia
Geospatial Systems Analyst, Forest Resources Management
Haitao Li
GIS · remote sensing · geospatial analysis · machine learning · forest applications
Shirong Liu
Chinese Academy of Forestry
Academician, Chinese Academy of Engineering · Chief Scientist and Research Professor
Shirong Liu
Forest ecosystem ecology · ecological restoration · forest hydrology · climate adaptation
Nidhi Nagabhatla
United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS)
Senior Research Fellow
Nidhi Nagabhatla
Water security · ecosystem management · sustainable development
Naresworo Nugroho
IPB University, Indonesia
Professor, Faculty of Forestry and Environment
Naresworo Nugroho
Timber engineering · wood-based materials · renewable materials · sustainable construction
Dharmapala Kankanamalage Nihal Gamini Pushpakumara
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Professor · Director, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA)
Dharmapala Kankanamalage Nihal Gamini Pushpakumara
Agroforestry · forest genetic resources · agricultural biodiversity
Carlos Ruiz-Garvia
UNFCCC secretariat
Team Lead, Adaptation Committee, Adaptation Division, UNFCCC secretariat
Carlos Ruiz-Garvia
Climate adaptation governance · resilience · international climate cooperation
David Sands
RIZOME / Bamboo Living
Founder and CEO, RIZOME · Co-founder, Bamboo Living
David Sands
Bamboo engineering · bamboo housing · building codes · carbon removal · reforestation
Juan Shi
Beijing Forestry University
Professor and Associate Dean, School of Forestry
Juan Shi
Forest pest invasion · plant quarantine · invasive species detection
Antanas Vytas Spokevicius
The University of Melbourne
Senior Lecturer in Forest Ecosystem Science
Antanas Vytas Spokevicius
Forest biotechnology · tree genetics · wood formation
Guangyu Wang
University of British Columbia
Associate Dean, Asian Strategies · Professor · Director, Asia Forest Research Centre
Guangyu Wang
Forest ecosystem services · nature therapy · protected areas · human well-being
Weiwei Wang
Thompson Rivers University
Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resource Science, Faculty of Science
Weiwei Wang
Wildfire activity · burn severity · fire-fuel feedback · community wildfire risk
Adam Wei
University of British Columbia
Professor, Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences
Adam Wei
Ecohydrology · forest ecology · watershed management · climate change impacts
Huan Yu
Differential Robotics / Zhejiang University
Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Differential Robotics · Affiliated with Professor Gao Fei’s team at Zhejiang University
Huan Yu
Embodied intelligence · flying robots · autonomous UAVs · swarm technology · applications in complex forest environments
Organizers & Supporting Partners
Institutions supporting IYSF 2026
IYSF 2026 is supported by organizing institutions, a strategic charity partner, co-organizers and supporting organizations across forestry, bamboo science, education, research and climate action.
Registration
Join IYSF 2026
Present your work, meet international researchers and contribute to practical forest-based climate solutions.