Abstract:The structure regulation and function optimizations of forest-ecosystems are fundamental and significant topics on ecology & management of forests. However, due to the limitations in theories and technologies to describe the three-dimensional forest structure for complex terrain and to precisely evaluate the structure-associated functions, these topics have been challenged by the complications in canopy structure and the urgencies in various societal demands towards forest ecosystem services. To face against the challenge, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) funded the "Multi-tower Platform for Monitoring the Structure and Function of Temperate Secondary Forest Ecosystems" (Qingyuan Ker Towers) as a corner-stone research infrastructure project for the field station network. Ker Towers were completed in 2019 by Qingyuan Forest CERN (Chinese Ecosystem Research Network) inside a distinctively-bounded and monitored-outlet watershed. The three towers, hydrology station networks, and forest plot arrays uniquely formed the Ker Towers research facilities as a synthesized platform. This platform was integrated with the light detection and ranging scanners for acquisition of holographic information on forest canopy structure, the advanced eddy covariance flux systems for the measurements of CO₂/H₂O, trace gases, and energy fluxes between the watershed forest systems and the atmosphere, and the hydrology station networks for observations of ground/underground water flows. All real-time data from the platform are streamed into a live data center. The platform including remote sensing technology, eddy covariance, biometry (or inventory), forest informatics and collaborative and interdisciplinary team prominently builds up multiple approaches and essential elements at different scales to fulfill comprehensive projects in response to national needs and international concerns as well. The Ker Towers team mainly focuses on the four tasks:(1) explore forest ecological principles for a new vision of holographic information in describing forest three-dimensional structure; (2) innovate theories and techniques to measure the fluxes of CO₂/H₂O/NO_x and the other trace gases over complex forest terrains; (3) understand the response of carbon and nitrogen cycles in forest ecosystems to global change; and (4) demonstrate the hydrologic processes in forest ecosystems and its regulating mechanism. The four above tasks aim to provide fundamental data and theoretical support to to optimize and sustain forest functions through forest structure management. The ultimate objective of the platform is to deliver solutions for regional and national forests to offer broad and sustainable benefits to human society.