Forest ecosystem dynamics are closely tied to global carbon and water cycles, the reliable spatial quantification of which is essential for climate change mitigation. Both extreme events and anthropogenic activities are major threats to the health and biodiversity of forest ecosystems. Variation of plant traits, forest structure, and ecosystem function along with gradients defined by hydrologic, nutrient, and disturbance processes, at scales from hillslopes to large watersheds, may be important in governing forest dynamics. Satellite observations and aircraft campaigns are providing measurements that can indicate land cover, forest structure, and canopy water changes. Numerous terrestrial biosphere models have been used to describe the physical processes that are associated with forest structure and dynamics. To reduce uncertainty and to advance the predictability of forest dynamics under climate change, we welcome innovative submissions in observation techniques, advanced processes-based modeling, as well as surrogate modeling through machine learning and model-data integration.