The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is proud to announce the publication of The Forest Ecosystems Living Lab Initiative (FELLI) in Global Solutions Journal Issue 11. This article highlights FELLI’s innovative approach to addressing global forest challenges through multinational collaboration, cutting-edge research, and community engagement.
Key Highlights from the Article:
- Global Network: FELLI unites university research forests across six Pacific Rim countries—Canada, Ecuador, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan—to study carbon dynamics, biodiversity, and human-forest interactions in diverse ecosystems.
- Cutting-Edge Science: The initiative leverages advanced technologies like LiDAR, eDNA sampling, and real-time carbon monitoring to standardize data collection and inform policy.
- Education & Collaboration: FELLI fosters interdisciplinary learning for students and researchers while partnering with local communities and Indigenous stakeholders to co-develop sustainable solutions.
- Policy Impact: By bridging research and action, FELLI aims to combat deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss through scalable, science-based strategies.
Forests are vital to planetary health, yet they face unprecedented threats. FELLI’s living lab model offers a replicable framework for integrating research, education, and policymaking to safeguard these critical ecosystems.
Global Solutions Journal
The Forest Ecosystems Living Lab Initiative A Collaborative, International Network to Inform Forest Research and Management
https://www.global-solutions-initiative.org/publication/global-solutions-journal-issue-11/
Authors:
Benjamin Weaver, Early Career Researcher and Master’s Student in Transatlantic Forestry, University of British Columbia Juan Manuel Guayasamín, Professor and Vice Dean of Research, Director of the USFQ Tandayapa Cloud Forest Station, Universidad San Francisco de Quito Robert Kozak, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia Dominik Roeser, Professor and Associate Dean, Research Forests and Community Outreach, University of British Columbia Thomas Schneider, Chief Executive, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Christina Schönleber, Chief Strategy Officer, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
About the global solutions journal
The Global Solutions Initiative facilitates international problem-solving. Our world-renowned network provides insights for better global governance. The journal’s work is rooted in independent research. It brings think tanks together to provide the intellectual basis of the Think20 process and inform high-level discussions at the G20, G7, and other global governance forums. The GSJ network spans policy, academia, civil society, and the private sector to provide research-based policy advice to help tackle major global challenges.
The Global Solutions Initiative’s aim is to mobilize change to recouple economic, political and environmental progress with social prosperity. Global Solutions Initiative was founded in 2017 by President Dennis J. Snower during the German G20 Presidency.
In the context of increasing pressure on the multilateral system, the 11th Issue of the Journal proposes new pathways to global prosperity. This edition of the Global Solutions Journal was published on the occasion of the South African G20 Presidency 2025, Canadian G7 Presidency 2025, and the Global Solutions Summit 2025.
Authors’ contributions reflect their opinions only and are their sole responsibility.