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For millions of years, the high peaks and deep valleys of China’s forests have promoted speciation and provided refuge during ice ages, and as a result, are the most biologically diverse temperate forests on earth. China’s forests harbour over 2800 tree species and multitudes of other plants, and are also home to numerous rare and threatened animals. China is rich in biodiversity but the Chinese scientists haven’t yet identified the importance of forest canopy research. Very little is known about species composition and ecosystem processes taking place in Chinese forest canopies. It is realised that to conserve biodiversity and ecological processes of forests is to secure sustainable development for present and future generations.

New results from canopy science are challenging concepts of global species richness, plant physiology and the provision of ecosystem services. Almost half of all terrestrial life forms could exist in forest canopies. 90% of the earth’s biomass interacts with the atmosphere through forest canopies. The ecosystem dynamics of forest canopies are critical to the functioning of the Earth’s major life support system. The ecosystem function of forest canopies refers to the habitat, biological or system properties of processes of ecosystems. Ecosystem goods of forest canopies, such as food, and services such as interception of water and carbon storage represent the benefits human populations derive, directly or indirectly. Besides, the forest canopy is where the land meets the atmosphere. The forest/atmosphere interface is a key component of understanding climate change and more accurate modelling of future risk prediction as the fluxes of gases which occur at this interface are thought to increasingly play a significant role in maintaining the Earth’s climate and a number of studies suggest potentially very large values for the carbon storage of forests.

The first international workshop on canopy research in China aimed to establish interactions between Chinese scientists and western scientists, to raise awareness of canopy/atmosphere issues in China and to work out a draft plan for future studies on forest canopies in China. It coincided with the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation conference, in Kunming, at which delegates gave papers and to which GCP Director gave a Plenary address during which FCO support was highlighted.