Introduction to Biological Sub-center of CERN

1. Name of Sub-center
Biological Sub-center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN)
2. History
Biological Sub-center of CERN was initially projected and established in May, 1990 by the scientists in Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1993, this center officially began to play its present role.
3. Location
Biological Sub-center of CERN locates at 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing, as one of sub-units of Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
4. Long-term objectives
The main objectives of Biological Sub-center of CERN are to establish database for Chinese ecosystems, to integrate the long-term observation data, to explore ecological pattern, process and dynamics in large spatial and temporal scales and to propose important scientific theory and strategic suggestion to the Government.
5. Tasks
The main tasks of Biological Sub-center of CERN include following two aspects:
1) Research function, including comprehensive study on ecological processes of Chinese terrestrial ecosystems, ecological division of China, information system of ecosystem network, the method of long-term observation and research of terrestrial ecosystems;
2) Management function, including formulating observation parameters and methods, demarcating instruments, collecting, saving and integrating biological data from all terrestrial research stations of CERN, training staff; conducting difficult measurement; projecting comprehensive experiments.
6. Datasets
Established datasets: database of chemical components of 150 dominant plant species; database of the types and geographical distribution of Chinese natural vegetations.
Establishing datasets: data on the nutrient content of 500 grassland plant species; data on distribution of biomass, productivity and soil nutrient pool of main grassland types.
7. Personnel
Name Titles Duty Telephone Fax Email
Li Linghao Professor Principal Investigator* (010)62591431-6282 (010)82596458 (010)82596397 llinghao@ns.ibcas.ac.cn
Huang Jianhui Professor Manager for
Technology* (010)62591431-6279 (010)62599059 (010)62599059 jhhuang@ns.ibcas.ac.cn
Wu Dongxiu Associate Professor Executive Director (010)62591431-6547
(010)82596397 (010)82596397 wudx@ns.ibcas.ac.cn
Yu Fenglan Senior Engineer General chemical analysis (010)62591431-6281
(010)82596397 (010)82596397
Zhang Shumin Assistant Professor Apparatus supervision and calibration (010)62591431-6281
(010)82596397 (010)82596397 cleverbook@sohu.com
Yang Jing Research Assistant General chemical analysis and connection with research stations (010)62591431-6281
(010)82596397 (010)82596397 ynj@ns.ibcas.ac.cn
He Weiming Associate Professor Lab administration* (010)62591431-6281
(010)82596397 (010)82596397
Yu Mei Senior Engineer Database supervision* (010)62591431-6281
(010)82596397 (010)82596397
* Concurrent post

8. On-going research projects
There are 17 research grants which the staff of Biological Sub-center of CERN are taking part in. Among them eight ones are projected the by the staff of Biological Sub-center of CERN, which are listed as follows:
(1) The State Key Basic Research and Development Plan of China: third-order sub-project Study on the biogeochemical cycling process of restoring ecosystem in Agro-Pasture Ecotone
Projector: Dr. Li Linghao, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: llinghao@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6282
Co-researcher: Wang Zhengwen, Bai Wenming, Yang Jing, Yuan Zhiyou
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2000.10.-2005.9.
Research objective: To figure out the cycling, conversion and their temporal-spatial patterns of some nutrient elements within typical ecosystems and among landscape units in the agro-pastoral ecotone; To establish biogeochemical models of C and N that coupled with water cycles; To determine the existing and potential productivity patterns for the major ecosystems in the area.
Research content: 1) Database of social, economic, and natural conditions concerning the research area; 2) Carbon cycling and SOM dynamics in the Leymus chinensis community in the Xilin river basin of Inner Mongolia; 3) Nutrient and water use efficiency for some dominant plant species.
Research achievement: Published 12 scientific papers based on past two years? research work..
Key words: agro-pastoral ecotone; biogeochemical cycle; nutrient use efficiency
Grant funds: RMB 700,000 Yuan
(2) The State Key Basic Research and Development Plan of China: third-order sub-project Study on adaptation of typical grassland ecosystem to drought and its mechanism
Projector?Dr. Li Linghao, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: llinghao@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6282
Co- researcher: Bai Wenming, Wang Qibing
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2000.5.-2004.9.
Research objective: To detect the response pattern and feedback mechanisms of the typical steppe in the Xilin river basin to desertification, and provide baseline data for the establishment of the climate- vegetation relation model in the area.
Research content: 1) Productivity, litter fall and carbon cycling in the typical grassland ecosystem; 2) A simulation experiment of soil moisture gradient change by re-transplantation of vegetation samples; 3) The effects of water addition on the productivity and stability of the Leymus chinensis community and Stipa grandis community.
Research achievement: Published 12 scientific papers based on past two years? research work.
Key words: typical grassland, desertification, adaptation
Grant funds: RMB 400,000 Yuan
(3) Key Project for Knowledge Innovation Engineering of the Chinese Academic of Sciences: second-order sub-project Theoretical and exemplary study on ecological conservation and coupling technology of agriculture with animal husbandry in Agro-Pasture Ecotone in north of Beijing
Projector?Dr. Li Linghao, Professor Liu Gongshe, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: llinghao@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6282
Co- researcher: Bai Wenming, Wang Renzhong
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2000.7.-2004.12.
Research objective: To put forward the strategies, approaches and modules for restoring degraded ecosystems in the North of Beijing agro-pastoral ecotone; To create integrated technological systems for effectively repairing the damaged agro-ecosystems; To establish a high level exemplary zone to demonstrate and extend these technologies.
Research content: 1) Mechanisms for restoring and regenerating the degraded ecosystems in the North of Beijing agro-pastoral ecotone; 2) Approaches and technologies for restoring and repairing the damaged agro-ecosystems; An optimized model for the sustainable development of agriculture and local environments.
Research achievement: Published 32 scientific papers based on past two years? research work.
Key words: agro-pastoral ecotone; ecological conservation; coupling of agriculture with animal husbandry
Grant funds: RMB 3,000,000 Yuan
(4) The State Key Basic Research and Development Plan of China: third-order sub-project Study on the relationship between biodiversity and nutrient cycling
Projector?Dr. Huang Jianhui, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: jhhuang@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6279
Co- researcher: Xing Xuerong, Yang Jingcheng, Wang Jin
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2000.4.-2005.3.
Research objective: Explore soil microbial biomass, N immobilization and N mineralization rate in ecosystem with different biodiversity levels and their responses to human disturbance.
Research content: (1) the decomposition rate and nutrient release rate of floral litter in different types of forest ecosystems; (2) the seasonal dynamics of soil microbial biomass in different types of forest ecosystems; (3) soil microbial N immobilization in different types of forest ecosystems.
Research achievement: Published 4 scientific papers based on past two years? research work.
Key words: biodiversity, N, mineralization rate
Grant funds: RMB 200,000 Yuan
(5) Key Directive Project for Knowledge Innovation Engineering of the Chinese Academic of Sciences: Study on the ecological effects of habitat islands
Projector?Dr. Huang Jianhui, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: jhhuang@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6279
Co- researcher: Fan Dayong, Xiong Gaoming, Cheng Weilie, Shen Guozhen, Zhang Wangfeng
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2002.12.-2005.12.
Research objective: Evaluating the effect of water storage in Three Gorges Reservoir on biodiversity and change trend in this region; Proposing scientific suggestion to the Government on biodiversity conservation and utilization in this region; Enriching island bio-geology theory by adding a special case.
Research content: The effect and its mechanism of habitat fragmentation on population size and dynamics; The effect and its mechanism of habitat fragmentation on physio-ecological property of keystone plant species; The effect and its mechanism of habitat fragmentation on ecosystem function.
Key words: habitat islands, biodiversity, population, ecosystem function
Grant funds: RMB 1,500,000 Yuan
(6) Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China: Study on water source and water use efficiency of mangrove plants
Projector?Dr. Huang Jianhui, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: jhhuang@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6279
Co- researcher: Lin Guanghui, He Jinsheng, Xing Xuerong
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2001.1.-2003.12.
Research objective: Comparing the water source, water use efficiency and water use strategies of Trib. Rhizophoreae and Trib. Legnotideae plants; Proposing scientific suggestion to government on management and conservation of mangrove ecosystems.
Research content: Measuring the natural richness of 2H and 18O in stem flow in 5~8 mangrove plant species to probe their water sources; Measuring the natural richness of 13C in leaves of 5~8 mangrove plant species to probe their water use efficiency; Analyzing the water use strategies of same species under different habitat and different mangrove plant species; Probing the ecological and evolutionary significance of habitat change from water to continent.
Research achievement: Published 2 scientific papers based on past two years? research work.
Key words: Trib. Rhizophoreae, Trib. Legnotideae, water use, isotope technology
Grant funds: RMB 150,000 Yuan
(7) Project of National Natural Science Fundation of China: Effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on root growth and soil carbon metabolism in Leymus chinensis steppe
Projector?Dr. Wu Dongxiu, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: wudx@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6547
Co- researcher: Xiong Xiaogang, Wang Qibing, Cheng Shiping
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2003.1.-2005.12.
Research objective: Exploring the effect and its mechanism of CO2 enrichment on root growth, root architecture and soil carbon metabolism in Leymus chinensis steppe by conducting in situ experiments with field open top chambers and pot-culture experiments.
Research content: (1) The effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on root growth and root space pattern and their mechanisms; (2) The effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on carbon pool and the exchange between different carbon status; (3) The carbon source or sink function of Leymus chinensis steppe in future high CO2 conditions.
Key words: root, carbon dioxide, Leymus chinensis steppe
Grant funds: RMB 200,000 Yuan
(8) Key Directive Project for Knowledge Innovation Engineering of the Chinese Academic of Science: second-order project Study on key processes of C and N cycling
Projector?Dr. Wu Dongxiu, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: wudx@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6547
Co- researcher: Wang Changhui, Gao Yingzhi, Ma Xiuzhi
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 2002.11.-2005.12.
Research objective: Exploring the key factors which influence C and N cycling in typical grassland ecosystem and their underlying mechanisms.
Research content: Photosynthesis and respiration trait of representative plants of dominant functional groups in typical grassland ecosystem; Gas exchange of main grassland types; Key factors which influence N mineralization.
Key words: functional groups, photosynthesis, respiration, N mineralization
Grant funds: RMB 300,000 Yuan

9. Achievements of research
During last five years, there have been 25 projects presided or joined by faculties of Biological Sub-center of CERN and these projects were well completed. Seven of these were presided by faculties of Biological Sub-center of CERN:
(1) Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China: third-order sub-project Study on carbon cycle and relative processes
Projector: Dr. Li Linghao, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: llinghao@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6282
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 1998.1.-2000.12.
Research objective: To determine the key processes, major fluxes and crucial driving factors of the carbon cycling in the Leymus chinensis steppe community in the Xilin river basin of Inner Mongolia; To examine the long-term effects of over-grazing and cultivation on the carbon cycle of the community.
Research content: 1) Soil carbon balance in the Leymus chinensis steppe community in the Xilin river basin of Inner Mongolia; 2) Correlations between soil respiration and plant biomass in the Leymus chinensis community; 3) The long-term effects of over-grazing and cultivation on the carbon cycle of the Leymus chinensis community.
Research achievement: The subject has been well accomplished as its preliminary planning with 3 scientific papers published
Key words: Leymus chinensis, Carbon cycling, NPP, Biomass
Grant funds: RMB 30,000 Yuan
(2) Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China: Study on grassland ecosystem biogeochemical cycle in the Xilin River Basin of Inner Mongolia
Projector: Dr. Li Yonghong and Li Linghao, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: llinghao@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6282
Co-researcher: Wang Qibing, Li Xiangzhen, Cun Xiaoyong, Bai Yongfei
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 1998.5.-2000.12.
Research objective: To detect the response pattern and feedback mechanisms of the structure and functions (biogeochemical processes) of the typical steppe ecosystems in the Xilin river basin to global change, To provide basic data for the establishment of the climate- vegetation relation model along the Northeast China Transect.
Research content: 1) Biogeochemical cycles of major life elements (C, N, P, S) in the steppe ecosystem; 2) Effects of land-use change on the productivity, litter fall and carbon storage of the steppe ecosystem; 3) A simulation experiment of soil temperature change by re-transplantation of vegetation samples.
Research achievement: The subject has been well accomplished as its preliminary planning with 8 scientific papers published
Key words: NECT, biogeochemical cycles, global change
Grant funds: RMB 140,000 Yuan
(3) Key project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences: Study on nitrogen transformation and nutrient use in Chinese typical temperate and tropical forest ecosystems
Projectorr: Dr. Han Xingguo and Dr. Huang Jianhui, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: jhhuang@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)62591431-6279
Co- researcher: Xing Xuerong, Zhang Jian, Su Bo
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 1998.1-2000.12
Research objective: The goal of this project is to disclose the impact of man-made factors on nitrogen cycling and nutrient use efficiency of dominant plants in forest ecosystems, and to provide theoretical basis for biodiversity conservation.
Research content: In typical warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests in Dongling Mountain near Beijing and tropical rain forests in Xishuangbanna, studying N cycling law in forest ecosystems; N supply and requirement in forest ecosystems; nutrient use efficiency of dominant plants to important elements: N, P, and S in forest ecosystems.
Research achievement: The subject has been well accomplished as its preliminary planning with 10 scientific papers published
Key words: forest ecosystems, nitrogen, nutrient use efficiency
Grant funds: RMB 200,000 Yuan
(4) Orientation Project of the National Science and Technology Committee: Experimental units of scientific popularization in Institute of Botany
Projector: Dr. Jin Qihong?Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, Tel: (010)68597317
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 1997.9.-1999.12.
Grant funds: RMB 180,000 Yuan
(5) 948 Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences: Rangeland monitoring and management system based on 3S technology
Projector: Dr. Xing Xuerong, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, Email: xrxing@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)68597621
Co-researcher: Huang Jianhui, Liu Xianhua, Li Linghao, Bai Yongfei, Wang Qibing, Liu Canran
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 1999.10.-2002.12.
Research objective: The goal of this project is to develop a rangeland monitoring and management system based on 3S technology.
Research content: Study on remote sensing monitoring model of rangeland productivity; Study on drought monitoring model of rangeland; Development of rangeland monitoring and management system.
Research achievement: The subject has been well accomplished as its preliminary planning with a book published and passed official assessment.
Key words: rangeland, 3S, monitor, model
Grant funds: RMB 1,320,000 Yuan
(6) National Agriculture Synthetic Exploiting Project: Compound technology for high yield of maize in Changtu of Liaoling
Projector: Dr. Xing Xuerong, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS, E-mail: xrxing@ns.ibcas.ac.cn Tel: (010)68597621
Co-researcher: Sun Guojuan
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Co- organization: Agriculture Synthetic Exploiting Bureau
Time duration: 1998.1.-2000.12.
Grant funds: RMB 10,000 Yuan
(7) Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China: third-order sub-project Simulating experimental studies in situ on the responses of grassland soil ?Cplant system to climate changes
Projector: Dr. Wang Qibing, Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Institute of Botany, CAS
Co-researcher: Wang Yanfen, Bai Yongfei
Organization: Institute of Botany, CAS
Time duration: 1998.1-2000.12
Research objective: To address the impact of climate changes on the litter decomposition of grassland ecosystem.
Research content: Dependence of litter decomposition rate of grassland ecosystem on temperature, precipitation and plant species composition.
Research achievement: The subject has been well accomplished as its preliminary planning with 5 scientific papers published.
Key words: grassland, climate changes, litter, decomposition rate
Grant funds: RMB 50,000 Yuan

10. Information on directors
Executive director ?Dr.?Wu Dongxiu

Mailing adderss: Research Center of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation
Institute of Botany, CAS
20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan
Beijing, 100093
China
Tel: (010) 62591431-6281; 82596397
Fax: (010) 82591781, 82596397
E-mail: wudx@ns.ibcas.ac.cn