Invited by ITP prof. LUO Tianxiang, Dr. Qianlai Zhuang, William F. and Patty J. Miller Associate Professor at Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in Purdue University, conducted an academic visit to ITP in April, 2011 and exchanged notes with ITP staff on carbon cycle study.

During his visit, Dr. Zhuang presented on his recent research titled “Analysis of carbon balance on the Tibetan Plateau during the 20th century”. The presentation reviewed studies of global biogeochemical cycle worldwide. He focused on the progress in carbon cycle modeling, elaborating on current understanding of the carbon balance of the ecosystem on the Tibetan plateau and latest modeling efforts in this respect.

ITP scientific staff was intrigued by the introduction, and later conducted in-depth discussions with Dr. Zhuang regarding issues of cryosphere model, modeling of soil temperature and that of dynamic variation of net productivity in the ecosystem.   Academic discussions deepened mutual understanding, and laid foundation for further collaboration. It was concluded that further collaborations will be carried out to combine modeling with in situ monitoring and measurement on the Tibetan Plateau. By so doing, both sides tended to forecast influences of climate changes on ecosystems on the Third pole region.