Special Sessions


Thanks to the contributions of many coordinators, LOC has received the following Special Session proposals.

SS1: Taiwan Polar Observation Research
Convener: 
Prof. Slawomir Jack Giletycz,
Department of Earth Sciences,
​National Central University

SS2: Resilience Sustainability in the Digital Age: A Global Dialogue on Drought, Climate Extremes, and Earth Surface Dynamics
Conveners:
Chair Professor & Academician Yuei-An Liou,
Department of Space Science and Engineering &
Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research,
National Central University

Prof. Takashi Oguchi,
Center for Spatial Information Science, ​The University of Tokyo;
Vice President, International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG)

Session description:
This special session of ICEO&SI 2026, to be held at NCKU & TGEO, will extend the dialogue on resilience and sustainability by integrating perspectives from geography, geomorphology, climate science, and digital technology. Co-hosted by the Commission on Hazard and Risk, the International Geographical Union (IGU), the session aims to strengthen global collaboration in understanding and mitigating the impacts of drought, heat, and extreme climate events on both natural and human systems.
本次 ICEO&SI 2026 特別議程將於 成功大學與 TGEO 舉行，並由國際地理聯合會（IGU）危險與風險委員會共同主辦。議程旨在整合地理學、地形學、氣候科學與數位科技的觀點，深化對乾旱、熱浪及極端氣候事件的理解，並促進全球合作以減緩其對自然與人類系統的衝擊。

Topics of Interest / 主要議題
  • Climate and geomorphological interactions Exploring how drought and extreme weather reshape landscapes, water systems, and soil stability. 探討乾旱與極端氣候如何改變地貌、水系與土壤穩定性。
  • Digital and AI technologies Applying artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and GIS for predictive modeling and adaptive management. 應用人工智慧、遙測與地理資訊系統於預測模型與調適管理。
  • Cross-disciplinary collaboration Building bridges between geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, and socio-economic studies to enhance resilience strategies. 促進地貌學、水文學、生態學與社會經濟研究的跨領域合作，以強化韌性策略。
  • Health and societal resilience Understanding how environmental stressors affect human health, livelihoods, and community well-being. 探討環境壓力對人類健康、生計與社區福祉的影響。
  • Policy and innovation Translating scientific insights into actionable frameworks for sustainable land use, disaster prevention, and climate adaptation. 將科學成果轉化為可行的永續土地利用、防災與氣候調適政策。

SS3: GNSS Reflectometry and GNSS Interferometric Reflectometry for Earth Surface and Environmental Monitoring
Conveners:
Prof. Chung-Yen Kuo,
Department of Geomatics,
National Cheng Kung University

Prof. Chi-Ming Lee
Department of Geomatics,
National Cheng Kung University

​Session description:
GNSS Reflectometry (GNSS-R) and GNSS Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) have become promising remote sensing techniques for monitoring the Earth’s surface and near-surface environment. Recent spaceborne GNSS-R missions and satellite constellations, including CYGNSS, Spire, and Taiwan’s TRITON mission, have demonstrated the potential of reflected GNSS signals for retrieving ocean surface wind speed, soil moisture, water surface height, flood extent, and cryospheric parameters. Meanwhile, ground-based GNSS-IR provides a low-cost and effective approach for monitoring tide level, snow depth, soil moisture, vegetation, and sea ice conditions using existing GNSS stations.
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This session welcomes contributions on the theory, algorithms, validation, and applications of GNSS-R and GNSS-IR from spaceborne, airborne, shipborne, and ground-based platforms. Topics may include signal processing, retrieval model development, calibration and validation, multi-sensor integration, and applications in oceanography, hydrology, cryosphere monitoring, coastal studies, and geodesy. Studies demonstrating the use of GNSS-R/IR for environmental monitoring, climate-related applications, and operational observation systems are especially encouraged.

​SS4: Ocean Observation: Technologies, Methods, and Applications 
Convener:
Prof. Chung-Ru Ho,
Department of Marine Environmental Informatics​,
​National Taiwan Ocean University

SS5: Radar Oceanography and Earth Observation of Coastal and Ocean Dynamics
Conveners:
Dr. Jian-Wu Lai,
​National Academy of Marine Research

Dr. Li-Chung Wu​,
Coastal Ocean Monitoring Center,
National Cheng Kung University

Session description:
Radar Oceanography has emerged as a powerful interdisciplinary field that applies radar remote sensing technologies to observe and analyze ocean surface processes across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. By exploiting electromagnetic backscatter from the sea surface, radar systems—including HF, VHF, microwave and other radars, provide valuable information on surface currents, wave characteristics, bathymetry, rip currents, vessel movements, oil spills, and other coastal and ocean phenomena.

This special session aims to bring together researchers and practitioners working on radar oceanography and related Earth observation technologies to present recent advances in theory, methodology, field experiments, and operational applications. Contributions are invited on topics including, but not limited to:
  • HF, VHF, and microwave radar systems for coastal and ocean observation.
  • Surface current, wave, and bathymetry retrieval techniques.
  • Spectral analysis and wave dispersion-based inversion methods.
  • Rip current detection and surf-zone circulation monitoring.
  • Oil spill, marine debris, and small-target detection.
  • Artificial intelligence and computer vision for radar image analysis.
  • Multi-sensor integration with satellites, buoys, autonomous platforms, and in situ observations.
  • Data assimilation and numerical modeling of coastal and ocean dynamics.
  • Coastal hazard monitoring, early warning systems, and operational oceanography.
  • Applications to extreme events, climate variability, and marine environmental management.

The session welcomes contributions ranging from theoretical developments and algorithm design to observational studies and operational systems that advance the use of radar technologies for Earth observation and improve our understanding of coastal and ocean dynamics.

SS6: Integrated Earth Observations for Drought, Heat, and Compound Climate Extremes
Conveners:
Prof. Cheng-Ling Kuo,
Department of Space Science and Engineering,
National Central University

​Prof. Shou-Hao Chiang,
Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research,
National Central University

Prof. Yueh-Hsia Luo,
Department of Life Sciences,
National Central University

Prof. Wen-Chin Hsu,
Department of Information Management,
National Central University

Session description:
This session at ICEO&SI 2026 will focus on advancing scientific understanding and practical responses to drought, heat, and their compound impacts. These hazards represent some of the most pressing challenges for societies worldwide, threatening water security, food production, human health, ecosystems, and economic stability.

We invite contributions that leverage earth observation technologies, remote sensing, GIS, and integrated modelling frameworks to assess vulnerability, monitor extremes, and develop adaptive strategies. Topics of interest include:
  • Methodological innovation: Comparative use of indices (NDVI, NDLI, drought severity indices) and advanced analytical methods (AHP, PCA, machine learning).
  • Compound climate events: Interactions between drought and heat waves, cascading impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and urban environments.
  • Health impacts: Links between extreme events and public health outcomes, including heat stress, water quality, and disease vulnerability.
  • Policy and resilience: Translating scientific findings into adaptive management, resilience planning, and community-based strategies.
  • Socio-economic dimensions: Integrating population density, land use, and resource pressures into vulnerability assessments.
  • Cross-sectoral applications: Contributions that connect drought and heat research to energy, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development goals.

This session aims to enrich dialogue on climate extremes, foster international collaboration, and strengthen the scientific basis for resilience strategies. Contributions from young scientists are especially welcome, as the session seeks to build networks and inspire innovative approaches to overcoming these global challenges.

SS7: Ocean Observation of the Earth Using Buoy Systems
Convener:
Dr. Yang-Ming Fan,
Coastal Ocean Monitoring Center,
National Cheng Kung University

Session description:
Buoy-based observation systems play a critical role in advancing our understanding of the ocean and atmosphere, supporting marine hazard mitigation, climate research, and operational oceanography. With the rapid development of sensor technologies, telemetry, and real-time data processing, ocean buoys have evolved into essential platforms for continuous and high-resolution monitoring of marine environments.

This special session aims to bring together researchers, engineers, and practitioners working on buoy observation technologies and buoy-derived oceanographic applications. Contributions are welcome on the development, deployment, calibration, and validation of buoy systems, as well as scientific studies utilizing buoy observations. Topics may include extreme ocean events such as typhoon-induced rapid sea surface temperature drops, rogue waves, storm surges, high-wave events, and long-term environmental changes observed through buoy networks. Studies integrating buoy observations with numerical models, artificial intelligence, digital twins, remote sensing, and early warning systems are also encouraged.

The session welcomes both methodological and applied studies related to marine meteorology, physical oceanography, coastal hazards, marine renewable energy, and environmental monitoring. Through this session, we aim to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and highlight the importance of sustained buoy observations for understanding the Earth’s ocean system.

The session includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
  • Development and advancement of ocean buoy observation technologies.
  • Real-time marine meteorological and oceanographic monitoring systems.
  • Extreme ocean event observations, including typhoons, storm surges, and rogue waves.
  • Oceanic responses to extreme weather events, such as rapid sea surface temperature changes.
  • Integration of buoy observations with numerical models, AI, and digital twin applications.
  • Applications of buoy observations in coastal hazards, climate studies, and marine renewable energy systems.

SS8: Observation, Investigation, and Numerical Modeling of Landslide Dam Formation and Evolution
Convener:
Prof. Shien-Tsung Chen​
Department of Hydraulics and Ocean Engineering Engineering,
National Cheng Kung University

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ICEO & SI 2026 invites all participants to propose and organize Special Sessions. The list of Special Sessions from last year’s conference is provided below for reference. In addition to these topics, participants are encouraged to propose new Special Sessions relevant to the themes of this conference.​
  • Monitoring and Modelling Advances for Marine Environment, Resources, and Hazards
  • Experiment, Simulation, and Risk Analysis of Integrated Hydraulic DesiltationMeasures on Long-term River Basin Impact
  • Harnessing Geospatial Technology for Resilience: Mitigating Disaster and Environmental Risks in Vulnerable Regions
  • Marine Radar Remote Sensing
  • Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
  • Applications of Maritime Remote Sensing
  • Applications of Smart Technologies in Climate Risk and Adaptation
  • Utilizing unconventional techniques and ideas to minimize the effects of natural disasters
  • Sustainable Resilience and Disaster Management under the Impacts of Climate Change
  • AI-Powered Integration for Holistic Impact: Assessing Social and Environmental Outcomes Through Geospatial and Multi-Source Data
  • Applying next-generation monitoring technologies and novel hydrological perspectives to assess the safety of in-river structures

​​Those who wish to propose a Special Session are kindly requested to submit their proposal (at least title of the special session and potential presenters) via email to Dr. Yang-Ming Fan (Email). The deadline for submission is May 15, 2026.
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For each Special Session, we expect to include at least four related papers, and the proposers are encouraged to invite at least two authors to submit their contributions. Please indicate this information in your email to Dr. Fan.