Scientific Surveys Lead to New Discoveries and Strategic Ecological Insights on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

In a remarkable endeavor to understand and protect the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, often called the "roof of the world," China's intense scientific scrutiny is yielding unprecedented insights. This plateau, not only a bastion of unique biodiversity but also a significant carbon sink, stands as a critical sentinel for ecological security and climate stability in Asia and beyond.

The second scientific expedition initiated in 2017 has charted new courses in ecological research, tapping over 7,000 researchers who've canvassed 19 key areas. Under the leadership of Yao Tandong, an eminent academic at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), recent findings have come to light, signaling a pivot toward transformative conservation and ecological strategies for the plateau.

Water resources on the plateau are experiencing a dynamic shift — warming trends and humidity increases are phasing out glaciers and snow, engendering a greener landscape. This metamorphosis, while potentially boosting water supply, escalates the frequency of severe weather events and calls for robust early warning systems against glacier-related disasters.

The expedition has meticulously mapped vegetation and soil at unprecedented scales, producing vital tools for managing the plateau's ecosystem services. These contributions are leveraged for strategizing biodiversity conservation and informing national park planning. More than 3,000 new species have been documented, underscoring the plateau's rich biodiversity.

Interestingly, the vast expanses of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau — a carbon sink, sequestering between 120 to 140 million tonnes of CO2 annually — far exceed its emissions, creating an advantageous carbon surplus. The plateau's permafrost, however, remains a wildcard in the climate equation, with the threat of thawing posing complex challenges.

In support of China's ambitious "dual carbon" goals of carbon peaking and neutrality, the Global Observation-based System for Monitoring Greenhouse Gas (GONGGA) emerges not only as a national asset but also as a global scientific beacon, offering refined methodologies in carbon accounting.

A recent collaborative venture saw researchers from the CAS, coupled with international scientists, embark on an investigation at Namtso Lake, performing the most elevated long core drilling to decode climatic and environmental histories. Such collaborative attempts magnify the plateau's global scientific significance.

As researchers judiciously explore the plateau's ecological tapestry, it becomes clear that these scientific pursuits are more than just academic; they are the very sinews of a strategic plan aimed at fortifying the plateau's role in sustaining ecological and climate equilibrium.