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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2020, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (3): 695-705.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202003.040

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Functions and applications of Multi-Tower Platform of Qingyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences

GAO Tian1,2,3,4,5,6, YU Li-zhong1,2,3,4,5,6, YU Feng-yuan1,2,3,4,5,6, WANG Xing-chang3,7, YANG Kai1,2,3,4,5,6, LU De-liang1,2,3,4,5,6, LI Xiu-fen3,8, YAN Qiao-ling1,2,3,4,5,6, SUN Yi-rong1,2,3,4,5,6, LIU Li-fang1,2,3,4,5,6, XU Shuang1,2,3,4,5,6, ZHEN Xiao-jie3,9, NI Zhen-dong1, ZHANG Jin-xin1,2,3,4,5,6, WANG Gao-feng1,2,6,10, WEI Xiao-hua1,2,11, ZHOU Xin-hua1,2,3,12, ZHU Jiao-jun1,2,3,4,5,6*   

  1. 1Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenyang 110016, China;
    2Qingyuan Forest CERN, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China;
    3CAS-CSI (Campbell Scientific Inc.) Joint Laboratory of Research and Development for Monitoring Forest Fluxes of Trace Gases and Isotope Elements, Shenyang 110016, China;
    4Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Shenyang 110016, China;
    5Liaoning Key Laboratory for Management of Non-commercial Forest, Shenyang 110016, China;
    6Sino-USA Joint Laboratory of Silviculture and Ecology, Shenyang 110016, China;
    7Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China;
    8Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China;
    9Beijing Techno Solutions Ltd., Beijing 100089, China;
    10Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
    11Earth & Environmental Sciences and Physical Geography, University of British Columbia (Okanagan campus), Kelowna V1V1V7, British Columbia, Canada;
    12Campbell Scientific Inc., Logan, UT 84321, USA
  • Received:2019-11-07 Online:2020-03-15 Published:2020-03-15
  • Contact: E-mail: jiaojunzhu@iae.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by Field Station Network Corner-Stone Research Infrastructure Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFJ-SW-YW006)

Abstract: The relationship between the structure and function of forest ecosystems is the main intere-sts in the research area of forest ecology and management. However, over complex terrains in particular, these studies had been challenged as uneasy tasks due to the limitations in the forest survey and measurement techniques and other supporting technologies. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) funded “Multi-Tower LiDAR/ECFlux Platform for Monitoring the Structure and Function of Secondary Forest Ecosystems” (Multi-Tower Platform, MTP) as a field station network corner-stone research infrastructure project, which was completed by Qingyuan Forest CERN (Chinese Ecosystem Research Network). In a distinctively-bounded and monitored-outlet watershed, the MTP was integrated by light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanners, eddy covariance (EC) flux instrument systems, whole- and sub-watershed hydrology station network, long-term forest plot arrays, and live data center. Using LiDAR scanning, the MTP can get cloud data for holographic information on canopy structure. The EC-flux instrument system and hydrology station network along with forest plot arrays could ensure the reliability of water and carbon observations over this complex terrain, which allows to verify the studies on flux measurement technologies and methods, as well as to understand the processes of ecohydrology and CO2 exchange between forest ecosystem and the atmosphere. Further, we can also assess the primary ecosystem services, including water conservation and carbon sequestration. All the data from “tower-station” were streamed through wireless network, which would facilitate data monitoring, management, and sharing. There are three tasks of MTP team: 1) defining innovative methods and descriptors to quantify three-dimensional forest structure; 2) developing theories and techniques to measure CO2/H2O fluxes and other trace gases over complex terrains; 3) understanding the relationship between structure and function of forest ecosystems, providing information and rationales for forest management practices to assure broad and sustainable benefits from forests.