Organised Symposia
The following symposia have been accepted for presentation within the program.
Symposia proposals with at least 4 confirmed speakers will still be considered for inclusion in the programme. Send your proposals to: Content-ECOS@elsevier.com
SYMPOSIA
Policy and Governance
Eco-building materials and low-carbon infrastructures
Environmental Health Effects of Pollutants and Their Low-Carbon Sustainable Management Technologies
Green low-carbon advanced materials and processing technology
The “National River Strategy” and ecological civilization
Symposium on eco-health and public health for disease prevention and sustainable development
Climate variability and its impact on hydrology: observational and model-based studies
On green innovation strategy: Responses to the ESG Rating by Chinese listed firms
Towards sustainable tourism: Addressing environmental degradation and encouraging eco-tourism
Circular economy as an element of sustainable development
International standards for carbon-neutral cities? - Conversations between Europe and Asia
Eco-civilization and sustainability transitions in coal mining cities and regions
The role of philanthropy in financing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts
Ecological safety and resource optimization management
Institutional Innovation Towards Ecological Civilization
Ecology and Biodiversity
Groundwater resources and ecological environment
National Land Space Ecological Protection and Restoration
Ecological Environment Protection and Geospatial Intelligence
Ecological drought and environmental flow
Linking ecological non-monotonicity to ecological complexity and stability
Land degradation and biodiversity loss
Social-ecological systems modelling
River and lake ecosystem health.
Stepwise ecological restoration: a nature-based solution for watershed resilience
AI for various ecological and environmental problems, management, and their modelling
Birds diversity in urban ecosystem
Ecology of coastal zones under anthropogenic activities and natural changes
Conservation and restoration for sustainable arid and cold ecosystems
Supporting One Health by Promoting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
Adapting for tomorrow: evaluating urban climate adaptability
Human-water harmonious urban built environment
Ecological remote sensing technology and application
Terrestrial Ecological Systems
River and lake health and ecological protection
Grassland conservation and sustainable use under changing environment
Structure, function, and sustainability of urban forests
Greening drylands: Water-smart strategies for forest and vegetation restoration
Alpine-treeline dynamics – patterns, causes, and mechanisms
Wetland ecohydrology, biogeochemistry and water resources management
Forest ecosystem resilience assessment and early warning
Mountain ecological pattern and function: response to global change and adaptive management
Global Climate Change and Its Ecohydrological Responses
Ecological Protection and Restoration of River Basins
Symposia Descriptions
Policy and Governance
Eco-building materials and low-carbon infrastructures
Chair: Weihua Li, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Zhihao Wang, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Summary
Infrastructure construction and operation are one of the main sources of carbon emissions. With the rapid development of the social economy and the continuous promotion of urbanization, this emission level continues to rise. In order to address this challenge, countries around the world are orderly promoting green and low-carbon transformation and high-quality development in infrastructure fields such as construction, transportation, energy, and municipal services. In this context, in order to facilitate the smooth implementation of the "dual carbon" strategy in the infrastructure field, it is urgent to jointly explore the key common problems and solutions faced by low-carbon transformation in infrastructure in planning and design, building materials construction, energy operation and maintenance, carbon emission management and other fields, and promote the exchange and cooperation of technology and experience related to low-carbon construction and operation of infrastructure. In order to strengthen academic exchanges among low-carbon infrastructure construction and operation technology workers in various countries around the world, and promote the summary and display of the latest research progress, achievements, and development trends in the field of low-carbon infrastructure construction and operation. This forum focuses on the themes of "low-carbon planning and design, green building materials and low-carbon construction, clean energy and low-carbon operation and maintenance, and low-carbon management", and discusses new materials, theories, technologies, and disciplinary developments in the process of low-carbon transformation of infrastructure. We will deepen the research on innovative theories and applied technologies in the field of low-carbon construction and operation of infrastructure, and provide important support for the smooth implementation of the "dual carbon" strategy.
Environmental Health Effects of Pollutants and Their Low-Carbon Sustainable Management Technologies
Chair: Fei yang, University of South China, China
Co-chair: Xizi Long, University of South China, China
Summary
The health of ecosystems and the well-being of human populations are closely intertwined with the quality of the environment, making the study and management of pollutants a critical area of research. Pollutants, ranging from chemical contaminants to microplastics, have far-reaching consequences on air, water, and soil quality, directly affecting the health of ecosystems, plants, animals, and humans. The symposium will address the latest research on health impacts of these pollutants, as well as innovative approaches to mitigate their effects. The symposium focuses on understanding the impacts of various pollutants on environmental health and explores the development and implementation of low-carbon sustainable treating technologies. The symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration by bringing together experts in environmental science, engineering, public health, and policy to discuss strategies for managing pollutants in a way that supports environmental health and aligns. The integration of these strategies with sustainable development goals will also be a key focus, ensuring that solutions contribute to a healthier and more resilient planet.
Green low-carbon advanced materials and processing technology
Chair: Yuping Tong, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Mingqi Tang, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Summary
Developing green and low-carbon advanced materials through integrating multiple dimensions, such as technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and environmental protection, provides strong support for realizing ecological, green, low-carbon, and sustainable development goals. To promote research and application in this field, we must go beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines and integrate knowledge and methods from materials science, environmental science, ecology, economics, sociology, culture, and even policy research. This interdisciplinary integration challenges the traditional research paradigm and stimulates innovation. At the same time, it is also crucial to strengthen policy guidance and support to create a good external environment for developing green and low-carbon advanced materials. Policy guidance and support will provide stable funding and resource guarantees for research in this field. It will also encourage more researchers and enterprises to devote themselves to studying, developing, and applying green and low-carbon advanced materials. As the global emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development continues to increase, the research of green and low-carbon advanced materials and their applications in ecological environment, water conservancy engineering, construction, new energy and other fields will usher in broader prospects for development. Through joint efforts and cooperation on a global scale, green, low-carbon advanced materials will play an increasingly important role in promoting sustainable economic and social development and contribute more to realizing global sustainable development goals.
The “National River Strategy” and ecological civilization
Chair: Jianqin Ma, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Haifeng Zhu, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Summary
"National River Strategy" and ecological civilization have become a focal point of global attention against the backdrop of increasingly severe global environmental challenges. Ecological civilization construction refers to a form of civilization development that protects the ecological environment, conserves resources, and promotes sustainable development amidst economic and social progress. The importance of ecological civilization construction is self-evident as it pertains to human survival and development, and the balance and stability of the entire Earth's ecosystem. Nowdays, exacerbated by population growth, accelerated industrialization, and intensified resource consumption, ecological environments have suffered severe degradation, highlighting an ecological crisis. Entering a new era, China has initiated its "National River Strategy", a cornerstone of its unique approach to modernization. "National River Strategy" embodies the development philosophy centered on the people, integrating various aspects such as water environment, water ecology, water resources, water security, and water culture, along with diverse elements including mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, sands, and muds. The strategy delineates a water management approach characterized by "water conservation as priority, spatial balance, systematic governance, and dual-pronged efforts", pioneering a new model of national river governance through systematic, integrated, and source-control methods. This symposium focuses on exploring ecological civilization construction within river strategy management and examines how sustainable development and international cooperation can achieve a balance between ecological health and human well-being. Through exchanges and collaboration, this symposium aims to identify pathways toward sustainable development, contributing to global ecological civilization construction.
Advancing eco-resilience: geospatial techniques in hazard modeling for flood, drought, and landslide prediction and management
Chair: Brototi Biswas, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India
Co-chair: Jayanta Das, Rampurhat College, India
Summary
Symposium Overview
This symposium aims to showcase the latest advancements in geospatial techniques for hazard modeling, with a particular focus on floods, droughts, and landslides. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of these natural hazards are expected to rise, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human communities. This session will explore how geospatial technologies can be harnessed to predict, manage, and mitigate the impacts of these hazards, contributing towards resilient ecological systems.
Relevance to EcoSummit 2024 Themes
The proposed symposium is directly aligned with the EcoSummit 2024's theme of "Eco-Civilization for a Sustainable and Desirable Future" under the conference topic of “Policy and Governance”. It emphasizes the crucial role of technological innovation in understanding and managing terrestrial ecological systems, thereby enhancing policy and governance frameworks for disaster risk reduction and ecological conservation.
Objectives
- To present cutting-edge research and case studies on the application of geospatial techniques in modeling and managing flood, drought, and landslide hazards.
- To facilitate discussions on integrating hazard modeling into ecological and urban planning for improved resilience.
- To explore interdisciplinary approaches that combine geospatial technologies with ecological science, engineering, and social sciences.
- To develop recommendations for policymakers on incorporating advanced hazard prediction and management strategies into sustainable development goals.
Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced understanding of the potential of geospatial technologies in hazard modeling and management
- Strengthened collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of disaster risk reduction
- A set of actionable policy recommendations for integrating hazard modeling into ecological conservation and urban planning strategies
Symposium on Eco-Health and Public Health for Disease Prevention and Sustainable Development
Chair: Jayanand, Shobhit University, Meerut, India
Co-chair: Lomas Tomar, Shobhit University, Meerut, India
Summary
Description :
The "Symposium on Eco-Health and Public Health for Disease Prevention and Sustainable Development" brings together experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the globe to delve into the critical intersections of environmental sustainability, public health, and disease prevention. In an era where human activities increasingly impact ecological systems, leading to profound consequences for health, this symposium serves as a vital platform for multidisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.
With a focus on proactive strategies, the symposium seeks to elucidate the intricate relationships between ecosystem health, human well-being, and the emergence, transmission, and management of diseases. Through a series of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, participants will explore innovative approaches and evidence-based interventions aimed at safeguarding both human health and the environment.
Central to the symposium's objectives is the recognition that sustainable development cannot be achieved without prioritizing public health and environmental conservation. By fostering synergies between eco-health and public health initiatives, attendees will gain insights into holistic solutions that promote resilience, equity, and sustainability.
Themes to be addressed include the impact of environmental degradation on disease emergence and transmission, the role of biodiversity conservation in disease prevention, the importance of sustainable urban planning for public health, and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge into modern healthcare practices.
Moreover, the symposium will examine the disproportionate burden of environmental risks and diseases on vulnerable populations, including marginalized communities and indigenous peoples, and explore strategies for promoting environmental justice and health equity.
Through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and networking opportunities, participants will emerge equipped with practical tools and strategies to address the complex challenges at the nexus of eco-health, public health, and sustainable development. By fostering collaboration across sectors and disciplines, the symposium aims to catalyze collective action towards a healthier, more resilient future for all.
Climate Variability And Its Impact On Hydrology: Observational And Model-Based Studies
Chair: Brototi Biswas, Mizoram University (Central), India
Co-chair: Bhagwan B Ghute, Toshniwal ACS College, India
Summary
About the Session theme
The conference, titled "Climate variability and its impact on hydrology: observational and model-based studies," will explore the relationship between climate variability and hydrology. It will involve leading researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders discussing research findings, insights, and potential solutions to climate change challenges. The event will also discuss the social, economic, and environmental implications of climate change on water management.
Objectives of the Session
The conference session on climate variability and its impact on hydrology aims to bring together experts in hydrology and climate change to discuss and exchange ideas. It will explore observational and model-based studies to identify factors contributing to climate variability and develop practical solutions to mitigate its adverse effects on water resources.
Sub-Themes
- Analysis of long-term hydrological data to identify trends and patterns in streamflow, precipitation, and other relevant variables.
- Use of statistical and machine learning models to forecast future changes in hydrological variables under different climate scenarios.
- Development and evaluation of hydrological models that incorporate climate variables and their uncertainties.
- Assessment of the impacts of climate variability on water availability, water quality, and ecosystem health.
- Investigation of adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate variability on hydrology, such as water storage, conservation, and management practices.
- Case studies of successful or unsuccessful responses to extreme hydrological events, such as floods and droughts, in the context of changing climate conditions.
On Green Innovation Strategy: Responses to the ESG Rating by Chinese Listed Firms
Chair: Sarath Delpachitra, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, China
Co-chair: Anwar Tursun, Jilin University, China
Summary
Over the past decade the UN introduced environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework has been receiving attention in the global industry horizon with the more industries adopting emerging ESG rating agencies. This paper examines effectiveness of these rating agencies when they are applied in the Chinese context using a panel data set of Chinese A-share listed firms between 2010 and 2018 and the 2015 ESG rating announced by the SynTao Green Finance as a quasi-natural experiment. More specifically focus was the effect of ESG rating event on the corporate green innovation strategy. The research finds that the ESG rating event promotes the overall level of green innovation and facilitates the implementation of substantive green innovation. Meanwhile, firm ownership and media attention have significant moderating effects. The findings highlight the importance of the construction of the ESG rating system in context of China.
Towards Sustainable Tourism: Addressing Environmental Degradation and Encouraging Eco-Tourism
Chair: Brototi Biswas, Mizoram University, India
Co-chair: Jonmenjoy Barman, Mizoram University, India
Summary
The tourism industry has been rapidly increasing in the last few decades owing to its lucrative multidimensional economic interest. With the encroachment of the tourism industry into new tourism horizons, often at the cost of natural environment, the degradation of the natural environment as well as the cultural environment is becoming quite rampant. The rippling effect of tourism is being seen in the recent surge in heat waves event owing to increase in forest-based tourism, which is also taking its toll on the jeopardized forest eco-system. Anthropogenic interventions along river bed are influencing the stream flow and flood pattern. Unplanned tourism inroads in the hilly environment for tourism development are triggering landslide susceptibility in these areas. These are just a few of the multitude of cases of environmental degradation owing to unplanned tourism industry.
In light of the growing concerns about environmental degradation, this symposium explores the difficult balance between the economic benefits of tourism and its environmental cost. It will also explore sustainable tourism among growing concern of environmental degradation. The anthology will draw on authors/researchers/scientists/academicians and expertise from a range of disciplines including (but not limited to)
- Tourism planning,
- Ecotourism,
- Environmental degradation in relation to tourism
- Climate change in relation to tourism
- Land use land cover change and deforestation in relation to tourism
- Natural hazard in relation to tourism
- Man-wildlife conflict
Circular economy as an element of sustainable development
Chair: Zbigniew Grzymała, SGH- Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland
Co-chair: Agnieszka Wójcik-Czerniawska, SGH- Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland
Summary
The aim of this session is to discuss, on the one hand, the idea of a closed-loop economy and the implementation of this idea both in the economy and the enterprise, and on the other hand, to estimate the costs and benefits of introducing such solutions on many levels. The idea of a circular economy reduces the consumption of resources. However, in the opinion of some experts, the costs associated with the collection of certain waste fractions and their management are most often not covered by revenues from returning waste to the economy in the form of recycling or reuse. In turn, waste incineration involves CO2 emissions. The topic is very broad and controversial, regarding both municipal and industrial waste and climate change.
When justifying the proposal of such a session, it should be added that the dynamically and massively developing communication in the economic and social sphere has changed the conditions of operation of most modern markets, creating a global economy covering the economies of the vast majority of countries. Therefore, there is no doubt that globalization and cross-border economic development are of strategic importance in the development of economies and societies at the beginning of the 21st century. However, it is undeniable that they have also contributed to the over-exploitation of the natural environment and its resources and the degradation of many areas, as evidenced by huge tracts of contaminated land and large concentrations of waste in marine areas, numbering millions of tons. Recovering raw materials, designing products in such a way that they can be reused in the next phase of their life, responsible consumption, selective waste collection at the source of their generation, climate regulation and regulation of water and air quality are the basic goals set by the circular economy model. closed (Circular Economy Model).
International standards for carbon-neutral cities? - Conversations between Europe and Asia
Chair: Bernhard Mueller, TU Dresden, Germany
Co-chair: Jiyoon Song, Korea Environment Institute, South Korea
Summary
Carbon neutrality is a goal of many cities worldwide. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI) and its Citysphere database, most cities have set carbon neutrality targets for the decade between 2040 to 2050. For example, the European Green Deal strives to make Europe the first carbon-neutral continent. Through one of its missions, the European Union currently supports 112 cities to become climate-neutral by 2030 and act as experiementation and innovation hubs to put all cities into a position to become climate-neutral by 2050. In Asian countries, many similar activities are being implemented. For example, China is setting up respective pilot programmes in 100 cities and industrial estates nationwide.
On this background, the proposed session will discuss urban transitions towards carbon-neutrality in Europe and Asia. Special attention will be given to the question to what extent it is feasible to develop internationally standardized indicators for carbon-neutral cities. Such indicators could support benchmarking and the exchange of information about good practices. However, their role depends to a high extent on the specific societal conditions and cultural contexts of the different countries.
The topics of the session include:
- Analysis of the current status of the utilization of carbon-neutral city indicators in Europe and Asia.
- Identification of barriers and opportunities for standardizing indicators for carbon-neutral cities in both continents.
- Discussion on perspectives and strategies for accelerating urban carbon-neutrality transitions through the utilization of internationally agreed indicators.
The discussion may play a significant role in providing scientific knowledge from Europe and Asia, but also from other continents, for a new technical report on ISO/TC268 standards, "Indicators for Carbon-Neutral Cities".
Bernhard Mueller is a senior professor, specializing in urban and regional development. Jiyoon Song is an early career scientist responsible for elaborating the above mentioned proposal for international standards.
Eco-civilization and sustainability transitions in coal mining cities and regions
Chair: Ziyi Wang, China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT), China
Co-chair: Bernhard Mueller, TU Dresden, Germany
Summary
Over the coming decades, climate change and de-carbonization policies will lead to a noticeable decrease and phasing-out of coal mining worldwide, especially in China. However, many coal-based cities and regions are not yet well prepared for the dramatic transition processes ahead. Nevertheless, there is also much experience worldwide in managing the phasing-out of mining in a successful way, which can help to derive sustainable development options with a cultural fit in different societies.
On this background, the session deals with the approach of eco-civilization in an international context, and it discusses sustainability transitions in coal cities and regions within the framework of climate change, energy transition and de-carbonization. It aims to gather worldwide experiences.
The session addresses the following topics:
- Identification of challenges and opportunities of eco-civilization-based transitions of coal mining cities and regions,
- Discussion of good practice examples and factors contributing to successful sustainability transitions,
- Development of recommendations for sustainability transitions in coal-based cities before and during their phasing-out of coal mining.
- The results of the session may inform decision-makers on strategic options regarding sustainability transitions in coal-based cities and regions.
Ziyi Wang is an early career scientist with experience in eco-civilization and the transition of coal-based cities, especially in China. Bernhard Mueller is a senior professor, specializing in sustainability transitions in urban and regional development.
Agricultural Land-Use System Management for Climate Change Mitigation and Carbon Neutrality in Pursuit of a Sustainable and Desirable Future
Chair: Zhihui Li, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Co-chair: Xiangzheng Deng, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Summary
In the context of the EcoSummit 2024, with the theme of "Eco-Civilization for a Sustainable and Desirable Future," we propose a symposia focused on the Agricultural Land-Use System (ALUS) management for climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality. The ALUS, as a complex and coupled system centered on land use, plays a pivotal role in sustainable resource utilization, carbon sequestration, emission reduction, and food production. Given the urgency of climate change and food security issues, it is imperative to delve deeper into ALUS management mechanisms.
This symposia aims to bring together scholars and practitioners to discuss the theoretical framework and methods of ALUS management. We will explore the progress made in agricultural land-use carbon emissions and management strategies in the context of climate change. Additionally, we will evaluate the resource carrying capacity of ALUS for food security and discuss the optimization of agricultural land layout to enhance land use capacity.
Furthermore, we will delve into the role of ALUS in addressing climate change, ensuring nutrition and food security, providing ecosystem services, and promoting sustainable environmental development. Given the relatively late start of theoretical and empirical research on ALUS in China, we believe there is an urgent need to establish a robust management system that can accelerate the transition to sustainable agricultural land use in China.
Through this symposia, we hope to facilitate knowledge sharing, identify best practices, and establish collaborative frameworks that can support high-quality development and ecological civilization in China. We believe that by working together, we can contribute to building a sustainable and desirable future for all.
Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment in a changing climate: Strategies for Comprehensive Risk Evaluation and Management
Chair: Brototi Biswas, Mizoram University, India
Co-chair: Iftikhar Hussain Beigh, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, India
Summary
Natural hazards pose serious threats worldwide, resulting in financial losses, service
disruptions, and loss of life. Every year, disasters incur a staggering cost of US$ 520 billion to
the global economy (UNISDR 2018). Economic losses stemming from natural hazards are on the
rise, with projections indicating exacerbation due to climate change and urbanization trends in
the recent decades. The Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR) emphasizes the
urgent need to substantially decrease disaster risk, with a primary focus in comprehending risk to
enhance prevention, mitigation, and preparedness efforts. The concept of multi-hazard garnered
initial attention at the Agenda 21 Conference in Rio de Janeiro (UNEP 1994), which advocated
for a comprehensive multi-hazard approach to disaster management and risk reduction. Over the
past decades, there has been growing interest in analyzing the multiple risks posed by various
hazards simultaneously. Natural hazards pose significant risks to people and assets globally, necessitating comprehensive multi-hazard risk assessment (MHRA). Traditional approaches often overlook multi-hazard risks, potentially leading to underestimation or overestimation of risks.
Multi-hazard Risk Assessment (MHRA) is a systematic process that evaluates risks from multiple hazards across different regions. It considers natural and human-induced hazards like earthquakes, floods, landslides, tsunamis, hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, industrial accidents, and pandemics. MHRAA involves scientific analysis, modeling techniques, data integration, stakeholder engagement, and scenario planning. It requires collaboration between governments, scientific institutions, and stakeholders at local, national, regional, and international levels. The findings of the symposia through academic deliberations among researchers, scientists etc will be useful for informed decision-making, policy development, land-use planning, infrastructure investment, disaster preparedness, and emergency response efforts.
Sub themes: Climate Change Adaptation Strategies, AI and ML, RS/GIS, Mult hazard Early warning System, Community-Based Approaches, Socio-Economic Factors, System Dynamics Modeling, Ecosystem-Based Approaches, Cross-Sectoral Collaboration, Innovative Financing Mechanisms, Disaster Risk Reduction case studies
Citizen science and local actors: strengthening urban governance through and for nature-based solutions
Chair: Linjun Xie, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, China
Co-chair: Mengqi Shao, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, China
Summary
This symposium aims to explore the roles of citizen science and local actors such as NGOs in fostering sustainable urban environments, focusing on collaborative efforts in implementing diverse nature-based solutions (NBS). By examining various NBS initiatives such as community gardens, green roofs, and ecological corridors, we will delve into the dynamic interplay between state and non-state actors in shaping and reshaping the urban environment, exploring the implications on urban planning and governance. The session seeks to highlight innovative approaches, challenges, and successes in the governance of urban NBS, ultimately contributing to the discourse on sustainable urban transitions.
We welcome both empirical and theoretical contributions, including case studies, reviews, and practical experiences. The symposium aims to gather insights from a diverse array of actors, including academics, practitioners, and NGOs, to foster a comprehensive understanding of this multifaceted issue. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- The role of citizen science in urban NBS governance
- Collaborative frameworks between state and non-state actors
- Challenges and opportunities in co-creating urban NBS
- Comparative studies of collaborative NBS governance in different cultural and political contexts
- Institutional innovations and policy recommendations for fostering civil society-led urban NBS
The role of philanthropy in financing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts
Chair: Edmund Yirenkyi, Memorial University of Newfoundland - Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook, NL, Canada
Co-chair: Kelly Vodden, Memorial University of Newfoundland - Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook, NL, Canada
Summary
This symposium presents a systematic literature review focusing on the crucial role of philanthropy in financing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in Canada. As the global climate crisis escalates, it becomes increasingly evident that sustainable solutions are imperative. The study employs a rigorous methodology to analyze research from 2000 to 2023, culminating in the selection of twenty-six high-quality, peer-reviewed studies. These studies offer a comprehensive overview of philanthropy's pivotal role in financing climate mitigation and adaptation, emphasizing long-term solutions, climate resilience, and mitigation projects.
Objectives:
- 1. To elucidate the role of philanthropy in financing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in Canada.
- 2. To highlight the significance of collaborative endeavors involving philanthropic organizations, NGOs, and charitable entities in addressing climate change impacts.
- 3. To identify challenges and opportunities for climate finance in the philanthropic sector and propose strategies for maximizing investment outcomes.
Relevance to the ECO 2024 Summit:
The symposium proposal aligns closely with the themes and objectives of the ECO 2024 Summit, which focuses on advancing environmental sustainability and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. By examining the role of philanthropy in financing climate change initiatives, the proposal contributes valuable insights to ongoing discussions on sustainable development and climate action. Moreover, the emphasis on collaborative endeavors and innovative approaches resonates with the summit's goals of fostering partnerships and driving transformative change. Ultimately, the symposium aims to inspire dialogue and action towards building a more resilient and sustainable future for Canada and beyond.
This symposium proposal invites researchers, policymakers, NGOs, philanthropic organizations, and other stakeholders to engage in discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at advancing climate finance and catalyzing impactful climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in Canada.
Ecological safety and resource optimization management
Chair: Rongqin Zhao, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Kai Fang, Zhejiang University, China
Summary
Presently, large-scale resource exploitation and utilization caused by human economic and social activities have seriously affected regional ecological security, resource security, and sustainable economic and social development. It is necessary to optimize the exploitation and utilization strategies and management modes of water, energy, land, biological resources, etc. In regional ecosystems, different types of resources constitute interconnected and interdependent resource system. Therefore, exploring the mutual feedback between human and the ecological environment from the perspective of multi-factor resources coupling management and optimization, revealing the relationship between resource development, flow, management and ecological security, is of great significance for exploring future resource development and utilization strategies toward ecological security. We should advocate for the coordinated optimization management of water-energy-land ecology-carbon from a systemic perspective to provide scientific guarantees for enhancing resource and environmental carrying capacity, maintaining regional ecological security, and promoting sustainable development of economy and society.
Institutional Innovation Towards Ecological Civilization
Chair: Jun Pang, Renmin University of China, China
Co-chair: Xi Ji, Peking University, China
Summary
Industrial civilization has brought remarkable efficiency but also unparalleled challenges. Over the past two centuries, environmental issues have evolved from localized problems, such as pollution and resource depletion, to global ones, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Concepts like the Anthropocene, and planetary boundaries offer new perspectives for navigating toward equitable and enduring development within the ecological carrying capacity limits. Civilization transformation, from early to agricultural societies and then industrial civilizations, responds to challenges unfolding across history. The shift towards ecological civilization is inevitable in addressing the challenges brought by industrial civilization. The change in human ideology and behavior cannot occur abruptly; instead, it demands ongoing institutional innovation to establish effective and lasting incentives and constraints. This symposium will explore institutional designs, innovations, and practices to propel the transition, examining policy tools to explore institutional capabilities promoting equity and harmony between humans and nature in the post-growth era. China, as a pioneer in transitioning to ecological civilization, will present strategies for institutional innovation.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Planetary boundaries, the Anthropocene, and ecological civilization
2. Post-growth era and ecological civilization
3. Legislation and environmental justice
4. Green finance
5. Eco-taxation
6. Eco-compensation
7. Ecological value and evaluation
8. Ecological performance evaluation
9. Public engagement and eco-education
10. National Park
11. The role of government, market, and public in ecological governance
12. Innovation and practice for building ecological civilization system
13. The path to ecological civilization: insights from China
Ecology and Biodiversity
Groundwater resources and ecological environment
Chair: Huaming Guo, China University of Geosciences, China
Co-chair: Furong Yu, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Summary
Groundwater is an important part of the Earth's water resources and a key element that supports the Earth's ecosystem. Under the influence of global climate change and human activities, the sustainable and safe supply of groundwater resources and the protection of groundwater and ecological environment have become major challenges for society. This conference session will focus on groundwater resources and ecological environment, groundwater-surface water interaction, groundwater quality pollution control and remediation technology, groundwater research new technologies and methods, etc., invite famous experts at home and abroad to make reports, hold academic papers and exhibitions and other academic activities, promote academic exchanges and cooperation, and contribute to the protection of the ecological environment, the promotion of green development, and the harmonious coexistence of man and nature.
Sub-Themes
(1) Origin of Groundwater Quality and Its Exploitation
(2) Theory and Practice of Groundwater Resources and Eco-environment Investigation
(3) Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions: Processes and Associated Eco-environmental Effects
(4) Spatiotemporal evolution and health effects of groundwater quality
(5) Karst Hydrological Processes and Ecological Effects
(6) Ecological and Environmental Issues in Coastal Zone Groundwater Development and Utilization
(7) Groundwater quality pollution control and remediation technology
National Land Space Ecological Protection and Restoration
Chair: Xiangjun Pei, Chengdu University of Technology, China
Co-chair: Xiaodong Ji, Beijing Forest University, China
Summary
Due to climate change and anthropogenic disturbance causing soil erosion and vegetation degradation, it poses a challenge to the ecological security of the national territory and urgently needs to carry out ecological protection and restoration. This symposium will focus on exchanging theories, technologies, materials, and practices related to ecological protection and restoration, and exploring how to enhance the socio-economic and ecological resilience of ecosystems at the local regional global level and achieve sustainable and prosperous development.
Ecological Environment Protection and Geospatial Intelligence
Chair: Chen Min, Nanjing Normal University, China
Co-chair: Dongbao Zhao, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Summary
By fully leveraging geographic information technology, it is possible to accurately identify and track new ecological and environmental issues in a timely manner, thereby providing support for scientific protection and systematic governance of ecosystems. This also facilitates the coordinated development of the digital economy and green economy, offering new approaches to enhance the modernization level of ecological and environmental governance systems as well as governance capacity.
The forum, themed "Ecological Environment Protection and Geospatial Intelligence," will serve as a platform for sharing breakthrough research, engaging in thought-provoking discussions, and promoting cooperation. The purpose is to explore the construction of an intelligent and efficient ecological environment management information system, promote the construction of a green technology innovation system, and broaden the application scenarios of modern information technology in ecosystems. It focuses on cutting-edge disciplines such as agricultural resources and environment, global change ecology and innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things, geographic big data, cloud computing, geographic artificial intelligence, and blockchain. It focuses on hot issues such as:
Smart investigation and monitoring technology for ecosystem carbon sequestration
Soil erosion and ecological environment response
Soil and water conservation and ecological restoration
Sustainable development of soil and agriculture.
Computers and electronics in agriculture and ecosystem.
Digital governance of ecological environment.
Resource and environmental big data mining and analysis.
Informationization of emergency and disaster prevention and reduction
Ecological drought and Environmental flow
Chair: Huaiwei Sun, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Co-chair: Wenxin Zhang, Lund University, Sweden
Summary
Ecosystems play a crucial role in regulating natural processes and supporting a range of activities. However, drought can disrupt these vital functions and services at various scales. Ecological drought is a water deficit that drives ecosystems beyond thresholds of vulnerability, impacts services, and triggers feedback in natural and/or human systems. Freshwater ecosystems may undergo changes in flow regimes, water temperature, and water quality, resulting in fish kills, reduced recreation opportunities, and decreased hydropower production. This drought can be caused by natural phenomena or exacerbated by competing demands on limited water supplies. Land use and water allocation decisions can drive or exacerbate ecological drought. There is growing interest in flow management strategies to mitigate the negative effects of reservoirs on downstream environments and aquatic ecosystems. The most common strategy is the environmental flow (e-flow) approach, which aims to protect aquatic environments in dammed rivers while providing ecological services. Over the past three decades, studies have contributed to the development of e-flow management strategies. It is very important to discussion the recent development of methods for ecological drought and environmental flow.
Linking ecological non-monotonicity to ecological complexity and stability
Chair: Zhibin Zhang, Hainan University, China and International Society of Zoological Sciences
Co-chair: Chuan Yan, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University (CELZU), China
Summary
In natural ecosystems, various organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environments. Traditionally, we often described these interactions as monotonic effects (positive, negative and neutral effects), e.g., species interactions including competition, predation, mutualism, etc. However, many ecological associations, such as species interactions, organism-environment relationships, and diversity-stability-function relationships, may be nonlinear and change signs under different conditions, resulting in ecological non-monotonic effects (NM effect). There has been growing evidence that non-monotonic effects of environmental factors and both intra- and inter-specific interactions can significantly influence the dynamics of populations, communities and ecosystems. Therefore, this symposium aims to discuss various forms of ecological non-monotonicity, and their effects on complexity and stability at different spatial, temporal and organizational scales, which may change our conventional monotonic views on the effects of environmental factors and species interactions in ecosystems. We also hope, through this symposium, to stimulate more effort to study ecological non-monotonicity and re-think our strategies to manage ecosystems under accelerated global change. One day session including 12 speakers will be organized in Zhengzhou, the main conference venue. Because the ecological NM effect corresponds well with an ancient Chinese Laozi Philosophy (Taoism), we plan to pay a visit to the Luyi County of Henan Province, the hometown of Laozi, the great philosopher of Taoism, and to have a seminar there entitled “Laozi Philosophy and Ecology” which will include 4 speakers.
Land degradation and biodiversity loss
Chair: Irene Petrosillo, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Italy
Co-chair: Donatella Valente, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Italy.
Summary
The different drivers of land degradation (urban sprawl, agriculture intensification, desertification,…) can affect biodiversity in terms of habitat fragmentation or loss, change in plant and animal diversity and abundance, soil quality erosion, and depletion of water resources.
They can strongly threat the life-supporting system in a way that can hardly be reversed, and we can assume that more species can become more susceptible to extinction because of the degradation of their habitats in natural and human-dominated landscapes. Since landscape diversity is greater in more heterogenous landscapes, biodiversity and landscape heterogeneity are positively interrelated. In this perspective, this session aims at figure out possible answers to the following research questions:
- Which are the effects of land-use/land-cover change on biodiversity?
- Is it possible to identify some types of diversity more sensitive to land-use/land-cover change than others?
- Which indicators are more suitable to monitor the effects of land degradation on biodiversity?
- Do the spatial and temporal scales of land degradation matter in affecting biodiversity?
- How can we rewilding the landscape?
- How climate change affects the regional vegetation distribution patterns and landscape structure of terrestrial ecosystems?
- How can we respond to the environmental stress of land degradation on vegetation in terrestrial ecosystems?
These are just few of the several questions that need urgent solutions in terms of policies and management actions. Therefore, research and review contributions, demonstrative case studies, management solutions, and policy perspectives are welcome.
Social-ecological systems modelling
Chair: Brian D. Fath, Towson University, USA; IIASA, Austria
Co-chair: Rose Wang, Texas A&M University, USA
Summary
Social-ecological systems (SES) consider the interactions, influences, linkages, and dependencies between humans and nature. Investigations of SES often use a complex adaptive systems framework to explore the bio-geo-physical resources and the social and institutional actors. This session invites presentations that study SES models in the context of Sustainable Development using resilience, robustness, metabolic, or other process-based, dynamical techniques. Models that include the role of local or traditional knowledge is encouraged.
River and lake ecosystem health
Chair: Jihong Xia, Hohai University, China
Co-chair: Wangwei Cai, Hohai University, China
Summary
River and lake ecosystem health are vital to the Earth, influencing human habitats, water resource use, rare species, biodiversity, and ecological value. Our symposium seeks to explore the theories, measurements, and control strategies of river and lake ecosystem health, promoting academic exchanges. We invite scholars and experts to submit abstracts and oral presentations, providing new insights or experience for this field. The event will be held at the International Convention and Exhibition Center in Zhengzhou, China, from December 14-19, 2024, with details to follow via email. This symposium will be chaired by Professor Jihong Xia from Hohai University of China, and supported by the Science & Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program of China [Grant No. 2022FY100404].
Stepwise ecological restoration: a nature-based solution for watershed resilience
Chair: Junguo Liu, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Yuehan Dou, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
Summary
Approximately 48% of global rivers suffer degradation, mainly due to decreased connectivity. A key challenge in fixing these affected rive ecosystems lies in the comprehensive understanding of the hydrological and ecological dynamics within the broader watershed framework. Stepwise ecological restoration emerges as a promising nature-based solution, harmonizing diverse restoration modalities tailored to distinct levels of ecosystem degradation. This encompasses environmental remediation for severely damaged ecosystems, ecological rehabilitation for moderately impacted ecosystems, and ecological (or natural) restoration for slightly degraded ecosystems.
Our symposium aims to share case studies from different regions to show how stepwise ecological restoration can help improve watershed resilience. We will extend to the development of water and ecosystem simulators for degraded or rehabilitated watersheds. Moreover, we shall explore the conceptualization of advanced decision support frameworks, facilitating informed interventions in watershed restoration endeavors.
AI for various ecological and environmental problems, management, and their modelling
Chairs: Dong Wang; Yuankun Wang, Nanjing University, China; North China Electric Power University, China
Co-chairs: Senlin Zhu; Feng Huang, Yangzhou Universiy, China; Hohai University, China
Summary
In an era of big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI), based on vast amounts of data, one can uncover hidden patterns and make accurate prediction model(s) that are vital for informed decision-making, resource allocation, and ecological and environmental management with the aid of Machine Learning (ML) and AI algorithms. Environmental systems are complex, requiring ML/AI techniques to capture relationships and patterns. Leveraging large-scale data and advanced algorithms, ML/AI models can generate reliable and accurate predictions. Analyzing historical data, identifying trends, and learning patterns enable accurate predictions for ecological and environmental variables. These models contribute to effective policy formulation and sustainable practices. From climate change modelling and ecological forecasting to water quality assessment and pollution monitoring, ML and AI provide powerful tools for decision-making and sustainable resource management. This session encompasses a wide range of topics related to ML/AI in ecological and environmental applications. It includes research articles, and methodologies that explore the latest advancements and best practices. The covered topics extend beyond data integration, feature selection, model validation, and optimization techniques. Ensemble learning, deep learning approaches for remote sensing data analysis, spatial-temporal modelling, uncertainty quantification, transfer learning, reinforcement learning for optimization, explainable AI, integrating ML/AI with sensor networks for real-time environmental monitoring, and hybrid physics-based and data-driven models for ecological modelling are all welcomed. These topics collectively contribute to advancing the field of ML/AI in ecological modelling and management, addressing key challenges, and fostering sustainable practices.
Birds diversity in urban ecosystem
Chair: Anees Ur Rahman, Beijing Forestry University
Summary
Our proposal centers on bolstering urban green spaces to foster a richer tapestry of bird life within city confines. Urbanization has eroded natural habitats, leading to a decline in avian diversity. To reverse this trend, we advocate for a multifaceted approach encompassing green infrastructure development, native plant promotion, community engagement, policy advocacy, and collaborative partnerships. By embracing these strategies, we aim to not only attract diverse bird species but also cultivate a deeper connection between communities and their local ecosystems. This initiative aligns with broader conservation objectives, fostering healthier urban environments for both avian and human inhabitants alike.
Ecology of coastal zones under anthropogenic activities and natural changes
Chair: Meilin Wu, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
Co-chair: Hui Zhao, College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
Summary
Coastal zones represent some of the most dynamic and productive ecosystems on the planet, serving as critical interfaces between terrestrial and marine environments. These areas are characterized by a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors, which are increasingly influenced by both anthropogenic activities and natural changes. This symposium aims to explore the multifaceted impacts of human actions such as urban development, pollution, and climate change alongside natural processes like sea level rise, storms, and biological interactions on the ecology of coastal zones. The symposium will bring together leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss recent advancements in understanding the resilience and vulnerability of coastal ecosystems.
Key topics will include:
1.Anthropogenic Impacts: Examination of the consequences of industrialization, coastal urbanization, and agricultural runoff on coastal biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
2. Climate Change Effects: Analysis of how global warming and related phenomena, such as ocean acidification, and increased storm frequency, are reshaping coastal environments.
3. Conservation Strategies: Presentation of innovative approaches to mitigate human impact and promote sustainable development, including marine protected areas, habitat restoration, and community-based management
4. Natural Dynamics: Insights into the natural processes that drive ecological changes in coastal zones, including sediment transport, nutrient cycling, and species interactions.
5. Integrated Management: Discussion on the implementation of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) practices that balance ecological health with socio-economic development.
By highlighting case studies from diverse regions, the symposium will offer a thorough understanding of global and local challenges in coastal ecosystems. Attendees will learn about the latest research methods, policy frameworks, and practical solutions for preserving coastal ecological integrity amid human and natural changes. The symposium aims to advance scientific knowledge and bridge the gap between research and actionable policies, contributing to the sustainable management of coastal resources.
Watershed ecological security
Chair: Yuying Li, Nanyang Normal University, China
Co-chair: Beata Messyasz, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland
Summary
Safeguarding the ecological safety of water sources is a prerequisite for ensuring the safety of drinking water, which is crucial for people's lives and health, as well as social harmony and stability. Globally, more than 2 billion people live in countries where water is scarce, and in China, about two-thirds of the cities have difficulties in accessing water. The water management and the safeguarding of the ecological security of water sources are of strategic importance for the future.
The protection of water quality in drinking water sources involves many aspects such as ecological safety of water sources, ecological health of watersheds, digital water networks in watersheds, and intelligent water conservancy. In order to strengthen the protection of water ecological security, ensure the ecological security of water sources and ecological health of watersheds, build a digital water network of watersheds, and build an ecological database and intelligent control platform, research communications are needed.
This forum is co-sponsored by Watershed Ecology Committee of Ecological Society of China, Water Resources Committee of Natural Resources Society of China, Ecological Water Resources Committee of Water Resources Society of China and Nanyang Normal University, and jointly hosted by the Ecological Security Higher Education Academic Discipline Innovation Intellectual Base of the South-to-North Water Diversion Central Water Supply Area and the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (Henan) Science and Technology Research Center. This forum focuses on the ecological security of water sources, ecological health of watersheds, and digital water network of watersheds. Six famous experts in the field of watershed ecological security have already been invited to participate in the meeting. Workers and graduate students in the field of ecological security of water sources at home and abroad are warmly welcomed to participate in the symposium!
Conservation and restoration for sustainable arid and cold ecosystems
Chair: Jianming Deng, State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, China
Co-chair: Ning Chen, State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, China
Summary
Arid and cold ecosystems, covering vast regions globally, face severe threats from climate change, overgrazing, and desertification, endangering their sustainability. Preserving healthy ecosystems and restoring degraded ones are crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in these regions. This holds particular significance for 7th EcoSummit, given its enormous arid and cold areas, and carrying a large population in the world. This session aims to bring together innovative ideas and strategies for conserving and restoring arid and cold ecosystems to ensure their sustainability. The session will provide a platform for discussing cutting-edge research and practical solutions to enhance the resilience and sustainability of arid and cold ecosystems worldwide.
Supporting One Health by Promoting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
Chair: Yixin Zhang, Soochow University, China
Co-chair: Siew Who Choo, Wenzhou Kean University, China
Summary
One Health Science refers to interdisciplinary interconnectedness in environmental health (ecosystem integrity), healthy biodiversity (animal-plant-microbiome health), and human health. One Health as a catalyst for sustainable development is an integrated, unifying approach to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, biodiversity, and ecosystems, through coordination across sectors for effective prevention, detection, and management of biodiversity and habitat losses and infectious disease threats. One Health has gained increased international prominence following the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting national and international institutions to adopt One Health policies and research topics. One Health Science is a reinforcement of the Sustainable Development Goals by introducing multi-dimensional health of humans, biodiversity, and ecosystems in all aspects of development. The holistic approach to the One Health dimension linking systems thinking poses a challenge across a wide range of disciplines with innovative interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research programs. We must advocate for integrating social-political-cultural-behavioral-ecological-economic-epidemiological systems to think in the One Health research dimension with connectedness towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and collaborate in climate change, ecosystem services, and resource sustainability to maximize the impact of future One Health Science.
Adapting for tomorrow: evaluating urban climate adaptability
Chair: Shaoqing Chen, Sn Yat-Sen University China
Co-chair: Yafei Wang, Sn Yat-Sen University China
Summary
Symposium Description:
As cities continue to expand rapidly, particularly in regions like the Greater Bay Area, balancing urban development with sustainability becomes increasingly challenging. This symposium, "Adapting for tomorrow: evaluating urban climate adaptability," aims to explore innovative strategies for enhancing urban resilience against climate change through the integration of ecosystem services and nature-based solutions (NBS) with carbon strategies.
Key discussions will focus on:
-Integrating nature-based solutions to achieve carbon reduction goals.
-Innovative approaches to urban climate adaptation and resilience building.
-Evaluating the effectiveness of NBS in creating carbon-resilient urban environments.
-The impact of trade-related carbon leakages, carbon sinks, and the energy-water-carbon nexus on urban planning and carbon mitigation responsibilities.
The symposium will bring together a team of expert speakers who will share their insights and experiences, aiming to develop synergistic strategies for sustainable urban growth. By examining the intersection of nature-based solutions and carbon strategies, we seek to provide actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers dedicated to fostering climate-adaptive urban environments.
Objectives:
-To evaluate the role of nature-based solutions in urban climate adaptation.
-To explore innovative carbon strategies for enhancing urban resilience.
-To discuss the implications of carbon-related challenges on sustainable urban planning.
-To develop collaborative strategies for integrating ecosystem services in urban development.
Target Audience: urban planners, environmental scientists, policymakers, researchers, and professionals interested in sustainable urban development and climate resilience.
Format: The symposium will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Human-water harmonious urban built environment
Chair: Hu Li, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Meijun Li, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Summary
The urban built environment, as a complex and comprehensive system, has become a key place to address these challenges and achieve sustainable development. Here, with immense enthusiasm, we sincerely invite you to this seminar. At that time, you will gather with designers, scientists, urban managers, educators, and public representatives from various fields to jointly and deeply discuss the following three topics:
(1) UGS and Ecosystem Services. The unique role of urban green spaces in achieving urban carbon neutrality goals, enhancing carbon sink capacity, mitigating the urban heat island effect, protecting biodiversity, promoting public health, influencing residents' perception, and optimizing urban planning and design.
(2) Urban River and Lake Ecological Planning and Protection. We will also focus on river and lake ecological planning and deeply study its important value in optimizing water resource allocation, improving water ecological quality, enhancing flood prevention and drainage capabilities, creating water-friendly spaces, and promoting the diversity of urban ecological landscapes.
(3) The Relationship between Garden Plants and the Urban Environment.
We are full of anticipation that through this seminar, we can vigorously promote in-depth interdisciplinary dialogue, widely share valuable knowledge and experience, fully stimulate innovative thinking sparks, and thereby provide feasible strategies and effective solutions for achieving a greener, healthier, and fairer urban environment
Ecological remote sensing technology and application
Chair: Wenkai Lu, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Qingfeng Hu, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Summary
Ecological remote sensing focuses on ecosystems, monitoring and evaluating ecosystem types and patterns, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem services. Facing the major needs of ecological and environmental protection supervision in the new era, remote sensing technology, with its unique advantages, plays an increasingly important role in the investigation and assessment of global ecological and environmental changes, natural protected areas, ecological protection red line supervision, and the proactive discovery of ecological damage issues
The purpose of this forum is to bring together global experts and scholars in the field of ecological remote sensing, promote the organic combination of ecology and remote sensing, and lead the development of global ecosystem remote sensing. The goal is to build an academic exchange platform to discuss the theory, methods, and applications of ecosystem remote sensing, thereby promoting innovation and discipline construction in this field. This forum will focus on recent research achievements in global remote sensing satellites, deepen the integration of artificial intelligence with remote sensing technology, and address key areas such as ecosystem types and patterns, ecosystem functions, ecosystem services, and ecological clouds.
Topics of in-depth discussion will include:
• Key technologies of high-performance geographic computing in remote sensing.
• Application of satellite remote sensing in agriculture and ecology.
• Monitoring and supervision service platforms for the entire lifecycle of crops.
• Emergency monitoring of heavy rain disasters by Gaofen satellite.
• Research and development, and application demonstration of key technologies for geological disaster prevention by Gaofen satellite.
• Dynamic monitoring of natural resources by remote sensing.
• Intelligent monitoring and application of space-air-ground integrated remote sensing technology in surface water environments.
Terrestrial Ecological Systems
River and lake health and ecological protection
Chair: Wenchuan Wang, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China
Co-chair: Zhong-Kai Feng, Hohai University, China
Summary
Rivers and lakes are the main carriers of water and the controlling elements of water ecological protection. With the popularization of the concept of sustainable development, people have begun to pay attention to the health of rivers and lakes and the protection of water ecology. The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed the construction of ecological civilization, and the national comprehensive plan for river basins carried out at the same time proposed to "adhere to the harmony between man and nature, maintain the health of rivers" and "maintain the ecological balance of rivers, and create a harmonious, beautiful, and healthy water ecology and environment". Since then, China's river health evaluation and ecological protection have entered a climax, and the national pilot project for water ecological civilization construction, river and lake health evaluation, and ecological restoration have been rapidly promoted. However, the health and ecological protection and restoration of rivers and lakes is a long-term and arduous task, involving multiple aspects such as river and lake management system mechanisms, health evaluation standards and methods, ecological protection and restoration approaches, etc. At the same time, it requires the joint efforts of the whole society to maintain the health of rivers and lakes in the long run and obtain a good ecological environment.
Grassland conservation and sustainable use under changing environment
Chair: Wenwu Zhao, Beijing Normal University, China
Co-chair: Jingyi Ding, Beijing Normal University, China
Summary
Grassland is the major terrestrial ecosystem, accounting for about 40.5% of the land surface and 69% of the global agricultural area, and plays crucial role in supporting both ecological functions and social developments. Grassland provides human beings with not only important ecosystem services such as water conservation, carbon sequestration and climate regulation, but also meat, milk, and other animal products. However, grassland is exposed to rapid declines, with 49% of grasslands globally exposed to varying degrees of degradation. Furthermore, grassland conditions have been exacerbated by shrinking areas available for grazing due to rapid human population growth and surge demand for livestock products. Under the changing environment, climate change, land use alternation and intensified human activities can alter a variety of ecological processes (e.g., energy transfer, water fluxes), largely suppressing multiple ecosystem functions, and put threat to the maintenance of ecosystem services and food security in grassland, which inhibit the global efforts to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs). To achieve the sustainable development of grassland ecosystems, consensus efforts are needed to address the challenges from both grassland degradation and demanding need of human welfare. Prioritizing the preservation of biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem services, and enhancing local livelihoods are key factors to be considered in grassland conservation practices. Collaboration among stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and local communities is crucial for effectively implementing sustainable grassland management strategies at both regional and global scale. In the future, the intensification of drought and more intensive human activities will further threaten forage productivity, and intensify the conflict between ecological conservation and social development in grassland. Therefore, there is an urgent need to assess the degradation of grassland and its underpinned mechanisms, develop conservation techniques to protect and rehabilitate grasslands, and explore sustainable management strategies in order to achieve dynamic balance between ecological security and human welfare in grasslands.
Structure, function, and sustainability of urban forests
Chair: Enzai Du, Beijing Normal University, China
Co-chair: Nan Xia, Beijing Normal University, China
Summary
Urban forests mainly comprise of forest patches and street trees within urban areas. They provide key ecosystem services for city dwellers such as microclimate regulation, air pollutant removal and biodiversity maintenance. Unlike natural forests, urban forests generally have less diverse plant species and are subject to distinctive urban environments and considerable horticultural interventions (e.g., irrigation, pruning, cultivation and fertilization). Specifically, the urban heat island effect, high-level atmospheric CO2 and air pollutant concentrations (e.g., NOx, ozone) all have a potential to alter tree growth and biogeochemical cycling in urban forests. However, knowledge gaps remain in the structure, function and sustainability of urban forests, which have important implications for optimal management. This session thus focuses on biodiversity, carbon and nutrient cycling, and multiple function of urban forests and their interactions with urban environments. It provides a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on the future research directions related to the function, health and management of urban forests for a better urban planet.
Greening Drylands: Water-Smart Strategies for Forest and Vegetation Restoration
Chair: Pengtao Yu, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China
Co-chair: Jose osé M. Grünzweig, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Summary
Dryland regions account for about 41% of the land area, 1/3 of the population, 18% of the forests, 1/2 of the livestock, and 1/3 of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. They are extremely vulnerable to climate change, drought stress, desertification, and land degradation. Dryland areas are expected to increase by 10-23% by the end of the 21st century, endangering food security, human well-being, and sustainable development.
Increasing and restoring the cover of vegetation, including forest, shrub and grassland, is a feasible and effective approach to controlling soil erosion and addressing desertification. Large-scale forest/vegetation restoration projects have been successfully implemented worldwide, especially in China. However, these projects, particularly the forest restoration projects, are increasingly and severely constrained by insufficient water resources and the changing climate. Obvious side effects of these constraints, such as poor growth of forest/vegetation, soil drying, and watershed runoff reduction, are further restricting the sustainable development of dryland regions and the supply of multiple services from forest/vegetation ecosystems. How to restore and manage forest/vegetation within the framework of water security is becoming a key issue to ensure and promote the sustainable development of dryland regions.
Given the global importance of this issue, we propose a conference theme on “Water-based Forest/vegetation Restoration and Management in Dryland Regions”. This will provide a platform for the related researchers to exchange their latest achievements and promote a shared understanding of forest/vegetation eco-hydrological processes, the development and application of eco-hydrological models and decision support tools as well as advanced techniques for rational restoration and optimal management of forest/vegetation in dryland regions. This will also promote the formation of a theory-technique-policy system for the precise restoration and management of forest/vegetation in dryland regions based on water resource carrying capacity as soon as possible.
Alpine-treeline dynamics – patterns, causes, and mechanisms
Chair: Mai-He Li, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Switzerland
Co-chair: Johanna Toivonen, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Summary
Alpine-treeline ecotones, the boundary between forests and treeless regions at high elevations, are sensitive indicators of environmental change. Understanding their dynamics is crucial for predicting future climate- and land-use-change impacts on high-elevation ecosystem services. We invite submissions for a session titled "Alpine-treeline dynamics – patterns, causes, and mechanisms." This session will explore observed patterns of treeline-ecotone movement and other forms of change, delve into the underlying drivers of these dynamics, and dissect the specific mechanisms by which these changes occur. We welcome submissions that use diverse methodologies, including field studies, dendrochronology, controlled experiments, remote sensing, and modeling, to address treeline responses to climate change, land-use practices, and ecological interactions.
Towards a predictive understanding of agroecosystem-earth’s critical zone feedback loops under changing climate
Chair: Xi Zhang, Louisiana State University, United States
Co-chair: Yawen Huang, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
Summary
The Earth’s Critical Zone, where rock meets life, extends from the tops of the trees to the bottom of the groundwater and integrates the pedosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. Classic conceptual diagrams of Critical Zone processes predominantly depict natural landscapes, often overlooking the significant anthropogenic influences in agricultural settings that dramatically alter the Critical Zone. Agriculture dominates human land use, accounting for 38% of the global land surface. Through management practices, agroecosystems affect the fluxes and storage of mass and energy in the Critical Zone, thereby impacting hydrologic and biogeochemical processes that are crucial to the functioning of the Critical Zone. The impacts of agriculture on the Critical Zone are diverse and complicated. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interactions between agroecosystems and the Critical Zone contributes to the development of strategies that deliver United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ensure the long-term health and well-being of our planet. This symposium brings together scientists from diverse fields including soil science, hydrology, ecology, agronomy, and environmental science to facilitate a multidisciplinary dialogue that aims at unraveling how agroecosystems influence and are influenced by the Critical Zone, particularly in the context of a changing climate. We solicit contributions that focus on but are not limited to: (1) linking multi-scale soil bio-geo-physio-chemical processes to agroecosystems services and Critical Zone functions; (2) exploring how agroecosystems function and evolve in regulating the carbon, water, and energy cycles and thus greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration; (3) developing sustainable agricultural practices that enable agroecosystems to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Wetland ecohydrology, biogeochemistry and water resources management
Chair: Guangxin Zhang, Northeast Institute of Geology Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Co-chair: Yanfeng Wu, Northeast Institute of Geology Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Summary
The wetland hydrologic cycle plays a crucial role in local and regional flow systems, including attenuation, storage, re-distribution, surface-groundwater interaction, and river/lake riparian connectivity. The biogeochemical processes associated with the hydrologic cycle affect water quality and ecosystem functioning across land and waterscapes. These processes in many parts of the world have been changed significantly due to a combined effect of climate change and human activities, leading to severe environmental issues such as wetland loss, water regime shifts, water resource shortages, water quality deterioration, and declining ecosystem health. The shrinking wetland acreage and functional degradation is a threat to regional and global water security and ecological integrity. This Session will bring together experts and practitioners from different countries and disciplines, to discuss wetland ecohydrological processes and solutions to the problems. We welcome original contributions that use field observations, experimental data, and numerical modeling to analyze ecohydrological processes in wetlands and to improve integrated water resources and ecosystem management at the wetland, watershed and river basin scales.
The discussion topics aim to cover a broad scope of wetland-related ecohydrology and water resources management problems and are expected to cover the following keywords (but not limited to):
- Wetlands
- Lakes, riparian areas, floodplains
- Ecohydrological processes and modeling
- Surface water-groundwater interactions
- River, lake, riparian connectivity
- Wetland biogeochemical processes
- Wetland hydrological function
- Wetland water quality
- Role of wetlands in floods and droughts
- Hydrological effects of wetland loss and restoration
- Ecological water demands of wetlands
- Impacts of climate change and hydrological extremes on wetland ecohydrology
- Hydrologic control on wetland greenhouse gas fluxes
- Sustainable water management in wetlands
- Integrated management of water resources
Resistance and resilience of natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems to drought: from cellular to global scales
Chair: Yongjiang Zhang, University of Maine, USA
Co-chair: Yajun Chen, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Summary
Anthropogenic climate change, including both shifts in average conditions and increasing climate extremes, brings challenges to both natural and managed ecosystems. Extreme drought events associated with climate change are becoming increasingly frequent globally, resulting in widespread forest dieback and crop yield loss. Revealing the resistance and resilience of plants and ecosystems to drought is fundamental for predicting the future of natural and agricultural systems, and for developing sustainable land use and management policies. This symposium focuses on plant and ecosystem responses to drought, and covers studies from diverse ecosystems from tropical savannas and rainforests to subtropical and temperate forests, as well as managed plantations and agricultural systems. Different scale processes from the cellular, leaf, individual, and ecosystem levels to the landscape, regional, and global levels under increasing drought will be discussed in the symposium. Topics to be covered include drought-induced xylem embolism and hydraulic failure, mechanisms underlying tree dieback under drought, vulnerability of arid and semi-arid ecosystems to drought, drought impacts on crop growth and yield, and modeling ecosystem response to increasing drought under climate change. Overall, this symposium aims to stimulate the integration of multiple-scale approaches to understand the resistance and resilience of ecosystems to drought, and to reveal general principles regulating plant and ecosystem dynamics under increasing drought. By using an integrative approach, the discussion stimulated by the symposium will provide insights into the ecology and sustainable management of both natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems under climate change.
Anthropogenic pressure to grassland ecosystems and fostering resilience – barriers to sustainable human-grassland interactions and points of systemic intervention
Chair: Tianchu Lu, Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, UK
Co-chair: Altangarag, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, China
Summary
Grasslands, as one of the major ecosystems on planet Earth, cover around 20 to 40 percent of global terrestrial area, depending on they are defined. Livestock grazing on natural and managed grasslands allow humans to use the vegetations that are not directly digestible to us. Apart from their high agricultural value and high biodiversity, grasslands also provide a rich variety of other ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, climate mitigation, social and cultural ecosystem services, and so on.
However, grasslands are vulnerable to anthropogenic pressure including land encroachment (gradual conversion of grassland habitats into farmland), overgrazing, climate change, poaching, and history of mismanagement especially in societies where cropping has been the dominant culture. At the same time, there are significant regions of grasslands that are arid and semi-arid land, such as eastern Africa, western Asia and Mongolian plateau. The nonequilibrium nature of those regions exacerbate the vulnerability of grassland ecology and human livelihoods.
This proposed symposium attempts to bring together inter-disciplinary efforts to help 1) address the existing barriers to sustainable human-grassland interactions and 2) identify points of systemic intervention, based on solid understanding of grassland ecology, and draw knowledge from examples from around the world. This proposed symposium welcomes inter-disciplinary studies that have component(s) of systems thinking, social and behavioural study, environmental history, but not exclusive to.
Forest ecosystem resilience assessment and early warning
Chair: Yong Pang, Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China
Co-chair: Tao Yu, Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China
Summary
Forest ecosystems are under increasing pressure from changing environmental drivers and intensifying disturbances related primarily to changes in climate change, fire and other stress factor, which seriously affects the ability of forest carbon sequestration and sink. The persistence and functionality of forest ecosystem are highly dependent on their resilience, which could be defined as the capacity of forest ecosystem to return to a state not qualitatively different from its pre-disturbance state by resisting and/or recovering. Fostering resilience has been proposed as a solution to deal with the uncertainty caused by global climate change and increase the forest carbon. In this condition, how to assess the resilience and give early warning of forest ecosystem becomes urgent scientific problems need to be solved.
This symposia will focus on forest ecosystem resilience assessment and early warning. Topics include the impact of climate change on forests, forest ecosystem resilience evaluation indicators system, methods to obtain the resilience evaluation index though remote sensing and forest inventory data, forest disturbances and recovery monitoring, forest resilience assessment, monitoring and early warning methods, and case studies of forest resilience assessment in China, Europe and America. This symposia will give us a better understanding of the concept of forest ecosystem resilience, the ways to assess forest resilience, and the forest management policies to improve forest resilience.
Mountain ecological pattern and function: response to global change and adaptive management
Chair: Genxu Wang, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Co-chair: Eryuan Liang, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
Summary
High mountains covers about a quarter of the world's land furface, are of great importance with multiple ecosystem service functions but are also highly sensitive and vulnurable to global changes. With climate change the mountain ecosystems are facing risks such as reduction of biodiversity and tree growth, narrowing distribution or decreasing productivity of forests, degradation of ecsystem functions. These changes put local and downstream communities and biodiversity at risk. Degredation of ecosystem and natural resources further aggrevate pressures on these high mountain ecosystems. The topics of the session include, but not limited to:
(1) Climate-change-vulnerability of mountain ecological pattern and functions under climate change;
(2) Different responses of mountain vertical zonation to climate changes and its effects on mountain ecological functions;
(3) adaptive responses of mountain communities to global change and the underlying mechanisms;
(4) adaptive management strategies for effectively improving ecosystem conservation and natural resource sustainability in high mountain ranges.
Global Climate Change and Its Ecohydrological Responses
Chair: Guoqing Wang, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, China
Co-chair: Jie Chen, Wuhan University, China
Summary
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have increased greenhouse gas concentrations, significantly raising global temperatures and causing more frequent extreme weather events, shifting precipitation patterns, and rising sea levels. These changes disrupt ecosystems, resulting in biodiversity loss, habitat alteration, and shifts in species distribution. In addition, changes in precipitation patterns and water availability significantly impact ecosystem health and functioning. For instance, altered rainfall patterns can affect soil moisture, groundwater recharge, and streamflow, influencing plant growth, nutrient cycling, and habitat availability. Understanding the relationship between hydrological processes and ecological systems allows scientists to better predict the impacts of climate change on ecohydrological systems. Integrating insights from various scientific fields enables a comprehensive understanding of global change impacts on ecohydrology and the development of effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. Addressing the complex and interrelated challenges requires interdisciplinary approaches. The symposium focus on the following topics: (1) interaction between hydrological system and ecosystem, (2) mechanisms of changing hydro-meteorological extremes in a changing climate, (3) global climate change impacts on hydrology and ecosystems, and (4) ecosystem resilience and adaptation to climate changes.
Ecological Protection and Restoration of River Basins
Chair: Peifang Wang, Hobai University, China
Co-chair: Shuangyan Jin, Hydrology Bureau of Yellow River Conservancy Commission, China
Summary
River basin ecological security is a critical component of a sustainable ecological system, directly impacting the long-term development of both the economy and society. River basins, with their distinctive characteristics, serve as the foundation for rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Protecting and restoring these systems requires a holistic, integrated approach, focusing on comprehensive, systematic, and source-based management. By adopting a river and lake-centric strategy, we can enhance water resource security, mitigate pollution, restore ecosystems, and foster biodiversity. This approach not only safeguards water resources but also strengthens regional resilience to water-related disasters, supporting coordinated regional development and ensuring the sustainable use of resources. This symposium welcomes participants to engage and share insights on the latest technologies and strategies for ecological protection and restoration of River Basins. By fostering collaboration and exchanging expertise, we aim to advance the understanding and implementation of effective water management practices that will drive both environmental sustainability and economic growth.