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The 4th International Electronic Conference on Forests

Science, Society and Innovation Nexus in Forestry: Pathways to global sustainability

Part of the International Electronic Conference on Forests series
23–25 Sep 2024
Event's Timezone: Central European Summer Time
Abstract Submission Deadline
27th May 2024
Abstract Acceptance Notification
26th June 2024

Registration Deadline
16th September 2024

Forest Ecology, Forest Ecophysiology, Forest Genetics, Wood Science, Forest Engineering, Forest Sustainability, Natural Hazards, Forest Economy, Forest Remote Sensing
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IECF 2024 is Free for Participation!

Register today to stay updated on event details, speakers, and important announcements. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of cutting-edge discussions and networking opportunities.

Welcome from the Chair

Dear Colleagues and Esteemed Participants,

It is with immense pleasure and anticipation to announce The 4th International Conference on Forests - Science, Society and Innovation Nexus in Forestry: Pathways to global sustainability conference. This event is a testament to the collective spirit of the global forestry community, convening virtually to navigate the multifaceted challenges and possibilities of our time.

Forests are more than just timber reserves; they are the lifeblood of our planet. The echoes of their significance reverberate in numerous global discussions, from climate change conferences to health summits. Beyond their role in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem service provision, forests embody the essence of cultural heritage, spiritual reverence, artistic inspiration, and much more. Their intertwining roots, much like our global community, remind us of the strength in unity and collaboration.

The recent disasters worldwide and future scenarios have heightened our realization of the imperative role forests play, not just in ecological balance, but in the very fabric of human health and well-being. In these trying times, it's pivotal that we champion the cause of sustainable forest management, viewing it not merely as a mandate but as a shared responsibility.

This conference stands as a beacon for pioneering innovations, fostering synergies, and promoting a holistic approach to forest research and management. It is a canvas where ideas meet action, where expertise bridges gaps, and where the future of forests becomes a collaborative vision.

You are sincerely invited to engage, share, and co-create during this journey. Your voice, research, and passion are integral to shaping the sustainable future forests we all envision.

Welcome to a dialogue of transformation and hope.

Conference Chair:
Dr. Giorgos Mallinis
Laborary of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing,
Department of Cadastre, Photogrammetry and Cartography,
School of Rural and Surveying Engineering,
Aristole University of Thessaloniki, Greece

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Event Chairs

Laboratory of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Department of Cadastre, Photogrammetry and Cartography School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Aristole University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Introduction
Bio
Giorgos Mallinis is an Associate Professor of Remote Sensing at the School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece. His research is focused on the field of Remote Sensing and GIS for mapping and monitoring forest ecosystems and their services, biodiversity and disaster management. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, books, and international conferences. During 2014-2021 has served as President of the management board in Greece’s largest terrestrial National Park, while from 2023- is the Moderator of the management committee in Mount Olympus National Park.

Session Chair

Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Italy

Introduction
Research Keywords
forest utilization; logging activities; reduced-impact logging; sustainable forest management; forest restoration systems

Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Italy

Introduction
Research Keywords
sustainable forest operations; reduced impact logging; QBS-ar index; sustainable forest management; forest mechanization

Department of Agriculture and Forest Science, University of Tuscia. Via San Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy

Introduction
Research Keywords
wood characterisation; wood anatomy; wood modification; wood coating; mechanical testing; physical testing; wood properties; wood quality; tree growth; forest products; forest resource management; sustainability; wood in cultural heritage; wood in religio

Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy

Introduction
Research Keywords
forest ecology; stable isotopes; tree-rings; carbon and water cycle; drought; xylogenesis; Intra-annual density fluctuation

Organic Technology Lab, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece

Introduction
Research Keywords
forest bioeconomy; circular bioeconomy; forest economics; technico-economic change; socio-technical change

Wild Heritage, USA

Introduction
Research Keywords
conservation biology; wildfire ecology; climate change; forest carbon; biodiversity; forest policy

Committee Member

Prof. Dr. Ignacio J. Diaz-Maroto

Department of Agroforestry Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Introduction
Keyword
forest management; landscape ecology; natural protected areas; planning and rural development; wood technology

Prof. Dr. Yanhui Wang

Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China

Introduction
Keyword
Forest hydrology; Forest-water relationship; Multifunctional forest management

Dr. Haijian Bing

Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Introduction
Keyword
Biogeochemistry; Phosphorus cycling; Microbial ecology; Biological nitrogen fixation; Enzyme activity; Element coupling; Forest soils; Mountain ecosystems

Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali

Forest Ecology Research Group, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, China

Introduction
Keyword
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; Forest ecology; Functional ecology; Global change ecology; Statistical modelling

Prof. Dr. Zhaojiang Zuo

College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, China

Introduction
Keyword
Plant VOCs; Ecophysiological functions; Plant physiology; Chemical ecology

Dr. Zhichao Lou

College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, China

Introduction
Keyword
Bamboo processing; Biomass-based composites; Biochar

Dr. Nan Xu

Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province for Cold-Regions Wetlands Ecology and Environment Research, Harbin University, China

Introduction
Keyword
Chlorophyll fluorescence; Abiotic stress; Plant photosynthesis; Climate change

Dr. Maciej Pach

Department of Ecology and Silviculture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland

Introduction
Keyword
adaptive forest management; close-to-nature silviculture; primaeval (old-growth) forest; mixed species forest; climate-smart forestry; sustainable forest management; silviculture; afforestation; forest renewal; forest tending; tree species growth; convers

Prof. Dr. Vikram Yadama

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Composite Materials and Engineering Center, Washington State University, USA

Introduction
Keyword
role of forests and forest products on environment and economy; wood quality; biomass processing; bio-based composite materials development; mechanics of wood and wood composites; anisotropic elasticity; sustainable timber construction; outreach to forest

Dr. José Aranha

Department of Forestry Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal

Introduction
Keyword
forestry; biomass; land cover dynamics; spatial analysis; wild fires; ecosystem services

Dr. Ioannis P. Kokkoris

Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Greece

Introduction
Keyword
conservation ecology; biodiversity; natural capital; biomonitoring; inventory and mapping of flora and habitat types/vegetation types; mapping and assessment of ecosystems and ecosystem services; GIS and remote sensing; environmental management; sustainable development; environmental policy

Prof. Dr. Kangning Xiong

State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, China

Introduction
Keyword
karst geomorphology and speleology; ecosystem function and service; natural world heritage conservation and desertification control

Dr. Ioannis D. Mitsopoulos

Laboratory of Forest Protection, Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Introduction
Keyword
fire management; forest ecosystems; climate change; biodiversity; natural capital; biomonitoring

Dr. Angela Balzano

Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Introduction
Keyword
wood and phloem formation; intra-annual density fluctuation; functional wood traits; quantitative wood anatomy; drought response; mediterranean ecosystems; scanning electron microscopy

Dr. Zeki Candan

Department of Forest Products Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Turkey

Introduction
Keyword
sustainable materials; green materials; nanomaterials/nanocomposites; lignocellulosic biomaterials (nanocellulose, nanolignin); thermal analysis (DMTA/TMA, TGA, DSC); renewable energy (biomass energy, pellets, and briquettes); industry 4.0

Invited Speakers

Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy,
Competence Center for Economic, Ecological and Social Sustainability, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy

Introduction
Talk
The role of forest diversity and vegetation dynamics in face of extreme meteorological and biological events in the South Eastern Alps.
Bio
Camilla Wellstein is head of the research area Analysis and Management of Mountain Ecosystems and member of the governing body of the Competence Center for Economic, Environmental and Social Sustainability, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano. She collaborated with international networks in H2020 projects on the impact of climate change and management on forests. Within the ICP Forest platform, she contributed to studies on the functional biodiversity of Italian forests. She combines organism biology with ecosystem ecology through experimental, monitoring and modeling approaches. She is currently studying the impact of climatic extremes on tree functional traits, forest diversity and vegetation dynamics.
Research Keywords
climate change adaptation; vegetation dynamics; forest ecology; disturbance ecology; ecosystem resilience; forest restoration; plant ecology; genetic diversity; functional diversity

Registration


Registration for IECF 2024 will be free of charge! The registration includes attendance at all conference sessions.

If you are registering several people under the same registration, please do not use the same email address for each person, but their individual university email addresses. Thank you for your understanding.

Please note that the submission and registration are two separate parts. Only scholars who registered can receive a link to access the conference live streaming. The deadline for registration is 16 September 2024.

Instructions for Authors

Procedure for Submission

The 4th International Electronic Conference on Forests will accept abstracts only. The accepted abstracts will be available online on Sciforum.net during and after the conference.

Important Deadlines

  1. Deadline for abstract submission: 27 May 2024.
  2. Announcement of oral and poster abstract results: 10 June 2024. You will be notified of the acceptance of an oral/poster presentation in a separate email.

Abstract Submission

Abstract submissions should be completed online by registering with www.sciforum.net and using the "New Submission" function once logged into the system. No physical template is necessary.

  1. The structure abstract should include the introduction, methods, results, and conclusions sections of about 200–300 words in length.
  2. All accepted abstracts will be published as one dedicated volume in Proceedings journal (ISSN: 2504-3900)after quality check. If you wish to publish a full-length proceedings paper, please refer to the “Publication Opportunities” Section.
  3. All abstracts should be submitted and presented in clear, publication-ready English with accurate grammar and spelling.
  4. You may submit multiple abstracts. However, only one abstract will be selected for oral presentation.

Detailed Requirements:

  1. The submitting author must ensure that all co-authors are aware of the contents of the abstract.
  2. Please select only one presenter for each submission. If you would like to change the presenter after submission, please email us accordingly.

Note: We only accept live presentations.

Oral Presentation and Slides Submission

The slot for the oral presentation is 15 mins. We advise that your presentation lasts for a maximum of 12 mins, leaving at least 3 mins for the Q&A session.

Authors are encouraged to prepare a presentation in PowerPoint or similar software, to be displayed online along with the abstract. Slides, if available, will be displayed directly on the website using the proprietary slide viewer at Sciforum.net. Slides can be prepared in exactly the same way as for any traditional conference where research results are presented. Slides should be converted to PDF format prior to submission so that they can be converted for online display.

Poster Presentation

If the abstract is accepted for a poster presentation, the author will be invited to submit a poster presentation file (PDF). The slot for the poster presentation lasts 10 mins (5 min presentation and 5 min Q&A). The submission guidelines are as follows:

  • Your submission should include the title, authors, contact details and main research findings, as well as tables, figures, and graphs where necessary.
  • File format: PDF (.pdf).
  • Size in pixel: 1,080 width x 1,536 height–portrait orientation.
  • Size in cm: 38.1 width x 54.2 height–portrait orientation.
  • Font size: ≥16.

Examples of successful submissions can be viewed here at the following links: (1), (2), (3)

You can use our free template to create your poster. The poster template can be downloaded here.

The Poster Sessions will take place in Zoom break-out rooms. The rooms will be called after your surname. You will automatically be assigned to your break-out room, however, you will be responsible for your own room, i.e. sharing your screen by yourself, handling the comments in the chat if there are any, etc. People will then be able to visit your room and discuss your poster with you. Please make sure you have the Zoom Desktop client or mobile app, version 5.3.0 or higher.
We will reach out to you closer to the dates of the conference with more information.

Certificates of Participation are available in your logged-in area on sciforum.net, under "My Certificates" after the conference.

Publication Opportunities

  1. Forests Journal Publication

Participants in this conference are cordially invited to contribute a full manuscript to the Special Issue published in Forests (ISSN: 1999-4907, IF 2.9), with a 20% discount on the publication fee. Details of the special issue will be announced here later. Please note that no other discounts are applicable. All submitted papers will undergo MDPI’s standard peer-review procedure. The abstracts should be cited and noted on the first page of the paper.

  1. Proceeding Paper Publication

You are welcome to submit a proceeding paper (3-6 pages) to Environmental Sciences Proceedings journal (ISSN: 2673-4931) after the conference. Publication of the proceedings will be free of charge.

Authors are asked to disclose that it is a proceeding paper of the IECF 2024 conference paper in their cover letter. Carefully read the rules outlined in the 'Instructions for Authors' on the journal’s website and ensure that your submission adheres to these guidelines.

Proceedings paper submission deadline: 8 November 2024.

Manuscripts for the proceedings issue must be formatted as follows:

  • Title.
  • Full author names.
  • Affiliations (including full postal address) and authors' e-mail addresses.
  • Abstract.
  • Keywords.
  • Introduction.
  • Methods.
  • Results and Discussion.
  • Conclusions.
  • Acknowledgements.
  • References.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

It is the authors' responsibility to identify and declare any personal circumstances or interests that may be perceived as inappropriately influencing the representation or interpretation of clinical research. If there is no conflict, please state "The authors declare no conflicts of interest." This should be conveyed in a separate "Conflict of Interest" statement preceding the "Acknowledgments" and "References" sections at the end of the manuscript. Any financial support for the study must be fully disclosed in the "Acknowledgments" section.

Copyright

MDPI, the publisher of the Sciforum.net platform, is an open access publisher. We believe authors should retain the copyright to their scholarly works. Hence, by submitting an abstract to this conference, you retain the copyright to the work, but you grant MDPI the non-exclusive right to publish this abstract online on the Sciforum.net platform. This means you can easily submit your full paper (with the abstract) to any scientific journal at a later stage and transfer the copyright to its publisher if required.

Event Awards

To acknowledge the support of the conference's esteemed authors and recognize their outstanding scientific accomplishments, we are pleased to announce that the conference will provide 6 awards including Best Oral Presentation Award and Best Poster Award.

The Awards
Best Oral Presentation Award and Poster Award

Number of Awards Available: 6

The Best Oral Presentation Award is given to the paper judged to make the most significant oral contribution to the conference.

The Best Poster Award is given to the submission judged to make the most significant and interesting poster for the conference.

There will be six winners selected for these awards. The winner will receive a certificate and 200 CHF each.

Sponsors and Partners

For information regarding sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please click here.

Organizers


Media Partners

Conference Secretariat

Ms. Mila Gao
Ms. Jessie Ju
Dr. Wisit Thitinarongwate
Ms. Tracy Zhou
Email: iecf2024@mdpi.com

For inquiries regarding submissions and sponsorship opportunities, please feel free to contact us.

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