Ecosystem Observatory in China -CERN as an example Yifei Jia, Xiubo Yu , Brisbane Chinese Ecosystem Research Network Chinese Academy of Sciences

Ecosystem change is a continuous and long-term process whose change patterns and some extreme events can only be observed and captured through long-term monitoring and research. Restoring disturbed and degraded ecosystems is a big challenge for the governments in national and local levels in China.

CERN has gained 27 years of experiences in –Monitoring, –Research, –Demonstration, and –Policy support. 44 stations, 5 sub-centers and 1 synthesis research center. Over 2000 scientists and students. CERN Coverage

CERN Mission Statement on Ecosystem Observatory To conduct long-term monitoring on the ecological factors and fundamental ecological processes of the major ecosystems in China according to standard protocols, and to provide dynamic information on major ecosystem types across China on a regular basis. Adopted from CERN Bylaw 1998

A complete theoretical system on the setting- up of CERN network field sites in ecological and environmental areas in China has been established on the basis of CERN. The representativeness of eco-regions and ecosystem types were two major criteria of selection of CERN sites in Each sites needed to justify their representativeness.

Outline of Presentation I.Ecosystem Monitoring Protocol II.Long-term Ecosystem Monitoring III.Cross-site Network Monitoring IV.Real-time Ecosystem Monitoring V.Summary CERN

Ecosystem Monitoring - a fundamental function of CERN Meteorological and atmospheric conditions Soil physiochemical characteristics Biological features: biomass, LAI, DBH, community structure Hydrological processes CERN

Protocol for standardized observation and Information management Standards of Observation : measurements, sampling, data analyzing, processing, data expressing and recording, documentation, QA/QC and archiving etc. Standards of information : database structure, data recording, spatial maps, sampling sites and coding of sampling sites, data reporting etc.

2 sets and 10 volumes of protocols on ecosystem monitoring technologies for standardized network- based observation and experiments for CERN Indicator system 72 cropland-based indicators 69 forest-based indicators 49 grassland- based indicators 92 aquatic-based indicators Published in Published in indicators

Monitoring data flow and quality control Regulation on ecological data sharing Publication of datasets National platform for data sharing Scientific data resources system Data management and sharing system Synthesis Center Field stations Sub-centers 365 datasets on special research topics Disciplinary datasets of 5 sub-centers Observation data of 44 ecological stations A three-tier (i.e. the field stations, sub-center, and synthesis center) data management system and an on-line information dissemination platform have been developed for the data managers to manage their own database at the field station, sub-center and synthesis center levels.

The monitoring indicator systems and technical protocols of CERN have been developed. The important ecological processes, such as the ecosystem energy and matter flows (e.g. carbon cycle, water budget, nitrogen exchange and balance) are also measured at some stations to meet the specific requirements of different research programs of government institutions.

Outline of Presentation I.Ecosystem Monitoring Protocol II.Long-term Ecosystem Monitoring III.Cross-site Network Monitoring IV.Real-time Ecosystem Monitoring V.Summary CERN

44 integrated observation and experimental sites Meteorological elements Biological elements Water elements Soil elements Long-term ecosystem monitoring CERN established standard indicators, methods and instruments to conduct measurement, and to standardize network-based observation and experiments for CERN.

Meteorological Observation Ground water table monitoring wells Soil moisture monitoring well Data transfer line Automatic meteorological monitoring station CERN

Comprehensive observation field Eddy covariance monitoring Microclimate observation Bowen Ratio Soil moisture monitoring wells TDR Luancheng Research Station of AgricultureCERN

Water balance observation Lysimeter(1982-) Shelter and control experiment Leaching pool 16 FAO standard moisture pools Irrigation experiment (1983-) Soil moisture monitoring well CERN Luancheng Research Station of Agriculture

NK(chemcial fertilizer ) NPK(chemical fertilizer ) ½chemical fertilizer+½organic fertilizer CK(non- application of fertilizers) PK(chemical fertilizer) OM(organic fertilizer ) NP(chemical fertilizer) N: 150kgN/hm 2 /season ； P: wheat 75kg(P 2 O 5 )/hm 2 corn 60 kg/hm 2 ; K: 75kg (K 2 O) /hm 2 /season ； Organic fertilizer: 5000 kg/hm 2 /season (7200~8400 kg /hm 2 straw for composting), complement NPK with chemical fertilizers Fengqiu Station ： long-term experiments on fertilizer application(1989- ) ： addressing the sustainability of applying fertilizers for crop ecosystem on a long- term basis Long-term fertilizer experiment in North China

Habitat experiment Artificial wetland experiment Eco-fishery experiment Monitoring and experiments of Lake ecosystem

CO 2 double enrichment Water surface evaporation Fertilizer application Carbon flux tower Other Cases CERN

Long term ecological monitoring in the field

Long-term monitoring at CERN stations provides not only information on ecological and environmental changes in regional and national scales; but also a platform for application and development of new ecological technologies and approaches, validation of ecological models by linking surface-based measurements and estimates from remote sensing.

Outline of Presentation I.Ecosystem Monitoring Protocol II.Long-term Ecosystem Monitoring III.Cross-site Network Monitoring IV.Real-time Ecosystem Monitoring V.Summary CERN

Demonstration bases on ecosystem use and conservation Research bases on ecosystem restoration Network on experiments of soil fertility and fertilizer use Network on research of cropland ecosystem water cycling and use in northern China Network on demonstration of agricultural technological models and experiments Forest biodiversity monitoring and research network Platform of monitoring and control experiments on terrestrial aquatic areas and bay ecological processes Network on experiments and demonstration of degraded ecosystems restoration Global change research base ChinaFLUX Atmospheric environmental changes monitoring network Platform of climate change field control experiments Platform of global change terrestrial transects system Cross-site Network Monitoring CERN has implemented network-based monitoring, experiment and research at national scale, led the development of ecological network system in China 3 research bases ， 10 dedicated sub- networks on observation and research

中国植被图 Conifer forest Conifer/broadleaf forest Broadleaf forest Shrub Desert Grassland Meadow Swamp Alpine Cultivated land Bared land Changbai M. Dinghu M.Xisuangbanna Beijing Forest China Forest Biodiversity Monitoring 8 plots in China >20 ha 600,000 trees marked in which : 4 Plots based on CERN Courtesy: Keping Ma, 2012

Transect-based multi-factor controlled experiments 4 typical regions, 4+4sites N addition Warming Precipitation control Grazing control Alpine grassland HB DX QYZ DHS Subtropical forests NMG Temperate grassland Precipitation gradients Temperature gradients Temperate forest Experiment for global warming effect

Outline of Presentation I.Ecosystem Monitoring Protocol II.Long-term Ecosystem Monitoring III.Cross-site Network Monitoring IV.Real-time Ecosystem Monitoring V.Summary CERN

In 2002~2003: The first 8 eddy covariance flux sites in China were erected in CERN and Chinese National Ecosystem Research Network (CNERN), funded by CAS and MOST. Real-time Carbon Flux Observation and Modeling

Real-time Carbon Flux Observation to monitor the work status of sensors and the network to watch the changes around the flux towers to ensure the high-quality data collection sensor status monitoring environment monitoring network status monitoring

Available tools by now: Eddy Flux data processing tool Meteorological data spatialization tool Remote sensing data processing tool We developed a series of data processing tools to help scientists do relevant research. Data Processing Tools

Online Carbon Cycle Modeling Platform Empiricial Models Michaelis-Menten Equation Lloyd-Taylor Equation Remote sensing models VPM Model Process-based Models CEVSA Model We developed an online modeling platform to conduct carbon cycle modeling at different scales.

Capacity building and Infrastructure— On the way Covering ： Housing maintenance Infrastructure improvements Equipment purchase Equipment upgrade CERN Infrastructure and facility plan ( ) was approved by CAS, and Central government with invest of 20 million USD during

Outline of Presentation I.Ecosystem Monitoring Protocol II.Long-term Ecosystem Monitoring III.Cross-site Network Monitoring IV.Real-time Ecosystem Monitoring V.Summary CERN

1. Long-term ecosystem monitoring system and approaches In order to effectively manage the data and provide better service for scientists and researchers, many efforts have been made to standardize the long-term monitoring technique among all the CERN stations according to the ecological types of crop, forest, grassland, wetland,desert and urban ecosystems. Standardized techniques and methods for the collection, transfer, archiving, analysis and publication of data were applied to all the stations of CERN.

2. Management and Quality control of monitoring data A three-tier (i.e. the field stations, sub-center, and synthesis center) monitoring data management and quality control and an on-line information dissemination platform have been developed. Quality controlled data are valuable resources for the broader scientific community to conduct the cross-site and synthetic research on ecological processes and global change issues over various ecosystems across China.

CERN won First Prize for the National Scientific Progress Award of China in 2012 CERN was recognized as one of TOP 25 achievements in last 5 years of CAS in 2015.

Thank you ! Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN)