Carbon sequestration

Forests are substantial carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide. Scientists estimate forest carbon stocks to assess their crucial role in mitigating global climate change.

In China, there are over 7,800 sample plots used by scientists to estimate forest carbon stocks. The Dinghushan Forest Ecosystem Research Station was established by the CAS in 1978. In 1999, it became one of the first national field scientific observation pilot stations, making it a key site for China's forest carbon stock evaluation.

"Since the industrial revolution, human activities have dramatically increased atmospheric CO2 concentration, leading to global warming and other crises. Yet, unexplained unknown carbon sinks' exist in the carbon cycle," explained Liu Juxiu, director of the Dinghushan station.

With the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, understanding carbon sources and sinks became crucial not only for ecological science but also for international politics and economics, affecting emission reduction responsibilities and sustainable development paths, Liu added.

"Over the past two decades, the Dinghushan station has focused extensively on the structure and function of tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems and their evolution patterns, achieving numerous internationally impactful scientific results," she said. These achievements earned the National Natural Science Award's second prizes for the years 2008 and 2023.