Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, CAS
Research orientations and contents: By employing network-based observation techniques, field experimental methods and ecological information technology, the Lab is designed to explore the coupling between carbon, water and nutrient cycles within an ecosystem and its underlying mechanisms, to integrate and model ecosystem patterns and processes at multiple spatio-temporal scales, and to comprehensively study the relationship between ecosystem management and sustainable development. The major focuses are put on (1) fundamental theories involved in ecosystem functioning and global change; (2) observations and experimental methods of the ecosystem network; (3) governing mechanisms for ecosystems patterns and processes at regional scale and their responses and adaptations to the global change; (4) quantitative description and integrative modeling of structure and functions, or patterns and processes in an ecosystem at multiple spatio-temporal scales; (5) strategies and technological pathways for ecosystem management and sustainable development in a given geographic region; and (6) major environmental issues at the national or regional scale.
Present progress: The Lab has formulated various norms and specifications for the construction and long-term ecosystem monitoring of field stations, established an overall information system for collection, processing and service of the data concerning various ecosystems, and independently developed a series of mechanism models for depicting ecosystem structure, functions and processes. In particular, the Lab has achieved remarkable and internationally influential progresses in the mechanisms of carbon cycle of typical ecosystems, and observations and dynamic simulation of the ecosystem CO2 fluxes in China. As a participant of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), Chinese Terrestrial Flux Research Network (ChinaFLUX) and China National Ecosystem Observation & Research Network (CEORN), the Lab also plays an important role in the International Long-term Ecological Research (ILTER) Network and the International Ecosystem Flux Network (FLUXNET).
Future targets: As part of CERN, the Lab will promote the development of the CEORN through establishing a Synthesis Center for all-round research on various terrestrial ecosystems in China. It will subsequently become a state key lab. With further development, the lab will be turned into a global top-ranking research hub for integrative ecosystem research, a national platform for ecosystem observation and cross-sites experimental research, a national center for ecosystem data management and exchange, a platform of the data-model fusion and process simulation of ecosystems, as well as a multi-functional platform for ecosystem network observation, experimental research and ecosystem information service.
Director of the Lab: Prof. YU Guirui
Director of its Academic Committee: Prof. SUN Honglie
Affiliation: Institute of Geographic Sciences & Natural Resources Research, CAS