Earthwatch is undertaking a comprehensive forest research programme looking at the impacts of climate change on forests. This Climate Centre is one of five global research centres.
In China, many forests, particularly evergreen broadleaved forests have been disturbed by human activity. These forests are much more susceptible to external influences, such as climate change.
The China Regional Climate Centre is located in Gutianshan National Nature Reserve located in Kaihua County, at the extreme west of Zhejiang Province, East China. The Reserve was formed in 1975, in the Yangtse River basin, to preserve a portion of evergreen broad-leaved forest in the region.
At this site, Earthwatch will partner with The Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS) to study the long term affects of climate change and human activity on forests. The research will also involve an investigation into bee and wild boar populations and their response to changes in climate. These studies will provide valuable information for long-term ecosystem monitoring and offer important clues into the trends of climate change.
Results gained from this research will contribute to our global knowledge of climate change and carbon pools and will inform forest management and protection decisions.
Learn more about this programme and Earthwatch's role in the HSBC Climate Partnership.