On 20 January 2016, the forum concerning the construction planning of research sample plots for forest ecosystem field stations of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) was held in the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The forum was undertaken by Qingyuan Forest, CERN, which is a pilot station for the sample plot construction of forest ecosystem. The forum aimed to plan the construction work and make sure that the construction of research sample plot can be implemented successfully in the pilot station. Furthermore, this forum was also supposed to discuss the plan of sample plot construction for secondary forest ecosystem in Qingyuan Forest, CERN, as well as the plans, contents and standards of sample plot construction for CERN forest ecosystem.

Dr. Qianjun Zhao, the deputy director of Bureau of Science & Technology for Development (BSTD), Dr. Ping Yang, the head of Ecology Department of BSTD, CAS, Dr. Lanzhu Ji, the director of IAE, and Dr. Junchen Zhuo, the head of Science and Technology Department of IAE, CAS attended the forum. Three experts were invited, including Dr. Guoyi Zhou from South China Botanical Garden, Dr. Xingguo Han from Institute of Botany of CAS, and Dr. Zhanqing Hao from IAE of CAS. Totally, there were more than 60 people attending the meeting including the heads of 10 forest research stations of CERN.

The forum was hosted by Junchen Zhuo. On behalf of IAE, Dr. Lanzhu Ji gave a welcoming speech. He expressed gratitude to the CAS leaders, experts and the leaders of CERN forest station for their long-term supports to IAE and declared that IAE will consistently support the work of field stations in IAE (i.e., researches, monitoring and demonstrating). Dr. Qianjun Zhao believed that the work in the field stations were indispensable for the researches of resource and environment field. CAS will support the stations which contribute to the outstanding work. The orientations of the stations must be consistent with the developing strategy of institutes, and institutes should support the work of the field stations. To get supports from CAS, the stations must be sufficiently supported by institutes and show their achievements first. Then, Dr. Lizhong Yu, the deputy head of Qingyuan Station,had a presentation entitled as "The Sample Plot Construction for Secondary Forest Ecosystem of Qingyuan Forest, CERN". Dr. Jiaojun Zhu, the head of Qingyuan Station, gave a presentation entitled as "A Discussion on the Standard of Sample Plot Construction for Forest Ecosystem". The experts and heads of the stations discussed and gave some suggestions and comments on the standard of sample plot structure. After that, Dr. Zhanqing Hao gave a talk entitled as "Large Permanent Sample Plot in Forests and Its Significance for Ecology Researches". Finally, Dr. Qianjun Zhao made summaries and required the filed stations to focus on chronicity, stability and platformity in the process of sample plot construction. The filed stations also have to concern on innovations and take advantage of multi-disciplinary in CAS. Furthermore, the field station should recognize the two important missions (i.e., think tanks and contributing to local economy). He hoped that Qingyuan Station, as a pilot station, should discuss with other 10 forest stations to improve the standard for sample plot construction and to establish the appropriate standards for the construction of sample plot with specific science, technology and economy goals.

During the forum, the presented experts discussed the content of the standard of sample plot construction for Forest Ecosystem Stations. As a pilot station, Qingyuan station will fully consider the suggestions and form the framework of the standard of sample plot construction. By asking heads of other forest stations for advice, the standard of sample plot construction for forest ecosystem will be finally established to meet the demand of long-term scientific research for forest ecology.