Lectures on “Application of Isotopes in Ecological Studies” were given by Prof. Yakov Kuzyakov in Key Lab of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) on March 24th-26th, 2010. Prof. Kuzyakov comes from University of Bayreuth, Germany, who was awarded the CAS visiting professorship last year and will work for 12 months in China.

More than 70 graduate students and researchers took part in the academic activity, most of which came from chinese research institutes and universities such as Institute of Botany of CAS, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Peking University, Xiamen University, and Beijing Normal University. The lectures were hosted by Dr. XU Xingliang, assistant professor of IGSNRR.

During these lectures, Prof. Kuzyakov introduced the basic knowledge of isotopes, isotope tracer techniques, and the principles of isotope fractionation as well as their applications. Subsequently, based on his own studies he presented how to explore interactions between soil and plants using stable and radioactive isotopes. At the same time, he showed how to use carbon stable isotopes in FACE experiments. What's more, he showed how to analyze those data obtained in experiments. Besides, during the course the participants showed great interests in application of isotopes in ecological studies. They made deep discussions with Prof. Kuzyakov on the problems they were confronted with during their studies, and hoped to solve them using isotope techniques in their future studies.