The Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences held its ninth Youth Academic Forum on Nov 20, aiming to further strengthen its academic environment and cultivate young research talent. A total of 23 young scientists and graduate students presented and participated in this year’s event.

Institute Director ZHU Jiaojun attended and delivered opening remarks. Fourteen leading scholars, including Deputy Director WU Haitao, Deputy Directors WANG Xugao and SUN Tao, Academic Committee Chair JIA Yongfeng, and Prof. WANG Gaofeng of Clemson University, served as expert panelists. More than 100 researchers and graduate students joined the event.

In his address, Director ZHU emphasized that strong presentation skills are essential for early-career researchers and that the forum provides valuable opportunities for learning, exchange, and mutual growth. He encouraged participants to make full use of the platform to refine their academic communication abilities.

Prof. WANG Gaofeng then delivered a keynote speech titled “Thoughts on Forestry as Natural Climate Solutions.” He offered an in-depth discussion on why natural climate solutions have become a major research focus, their core scientific concepts, key mechanisms of forest carbon pools and carbon sequestration, and new strategies for carbon-smart timber harvesting. He noted that while most current studies focus on increasing carbon storage within forest ecosystems, carbon-smart timber management can create safer and more durable carbon sinks outside the forest system, presenting new perspectives for future forestry research.

Following the keynote, young scientists and graduate students presented updates on their research progress, demonstrating both scientific rigor and strong presentation skills. Expert reviewers evaluated the reports based on research significance, innovation, structure, logic, and presentation quality, offering constructive feedback. After comprehensive evaluation, six participants (BAO Xuelian, HE Han, GONG Xuewei, LI Shuailin, BAI Yang, and NING Shijie) were awarded second prize for Outstanding Youth Academic Presentation.

Since its launch in 2017, the Youth Academic Forum has become an important platform for young researchers to present their achievements and a key process for identifying and nurturing emerging talent. It has played an active role in advancing scientific research and supporting the institute’s high-quality and sustainable development.