I. Preface
The State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (hereinafter referred to as TPESER) is a laboratory built based on the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. With a focus on key issues such as water resources, ecological environment, strategic resources, space of national land and the impact of human activities in Tibetan Plateau, TPESER has laid out five major fields: "air-water interaction and environmental security in alpine regions", "ecological changes and ecological security in alpine regions", "continental collision and plateau uplift and their impacts on resources and environment", "simulation and prediction of the regional earth system", "regional sustainable development and major engineering supports", carries out forward-looking basic and applied basic researches, and strives to become a "leading platform-type" international first-class laboratory.
Based on the needs of laboratory construction, we invite domestic and foreign scientists engaged in researches on Tibetan Plateau earth system to submit open research projects for the year 2022 from this date, with the deadline for submitting applications being August 26, 2022. We will provide the funds for related projects following the principle of "fair competition and merit-based support".
II. Scope of Funding concerning Open Research Projects
1. Research on the Process and Mechanism of Glacier Disaster in Asian Alpine Areas
In view of the fact that there have been many disasters such as ice collapse and glacier lake outburst in Asian alpine areas, research the rapid change mechanism of mountain glaciers in the context of climate warming, develop a dynamic model suitable for evaluating and forecasting the process of mountain glacier disasters, build a glacier-related numerical simulation framework with high spatial-temporal resolution and different complexity, and carry out diagnosis and prediction simulation of typical mountain glacier disasters to ensure local social economy, infrastructure projects and the safety of people's lives.
2. Research on the Process and Mechanism of Water Cycle in Rivers and Lakes
With key areas of interest Yangtze River source, Yellow River source, Lancang River, Yarlung Zangbo River, Nujiang River, Siling Co, Nam Co Lake and Lake Rakshastal in Tibetan Plateau and other key watersheds: carry out high-precision systematic observation of key elements of regional multi-layered water cycle, develop and optimize a multi-scale coupled atmosphere-hydrology model, accurately quantify the contribution of all key components of water cycle, reveal the water cycle process at basin-regional scale and its impact on atmosphere-ecology, and identify the change mechanism of the process.
3. Tibetan Plateau-Arctic-Tropical Ocean Linkage Research
Starting from the analysis on the stronger warming amplification in the Arctic and Tibetan Plateau and based on the law of energy and water cycle in the land-air interaction: explore the time scale and physical way of the interaction between snow cover/soil freeze-thaw cycle in the plateau and the whole Eurasian continent and Arctic sea ice/high-latitude snow cover; furthermore, analyze the influence (and its mechanism) of persistent thermal anomalies (such as sensible heat anomaly over plateau) caused by land-air interaction on the establishment of South Asian summer monsoon circulation and SST change in tropical Indian Ocean. Finally, quantitatively indicate the contribution of land-atmosphere processes in key areas of Eurasia to Arctic-tropical interaction.
4. Research on the Relationship between Heat Source in Tibetan Plateau and Summer Precipitation in Northeast China
The Tibetan Plateau will affect the weather and climate of China and the world through significant dynamic and thermal effects. Based on reanalysis data and field observation data: research the physical process and possible mechanism of the influence of spring heat source in Tibetan Plateau on summer precipitation in Northeast China. Finally, analyze the specific influence of heat source in plateau on soil moisture and summer precipitation in Northeast China through sensitivity experiments.
5. Lake-gas CO2 Flux Monitoring and Assessment on Source and Sink in Tibetan Plateau
Monitor carbon exchange between lakes and atmosphere during non-icing period by arranging water and carbon flux analysis systems in some typical lakes in Tibetan Plateau, use remote sensing to retrieve lake water quality parameters during monitoring, analyze the influence of different lake types, lake water quality changes and climate changes on carbon exchange, reveal the temporal-spatial differentiation of lake-air CO2 flux, and carry out a preliminary analysis on the contribution of lakes in Tibetan Plateau to carbon sources and sinks.
6. Research on Temporal-spatial Differentiation of Carbon Burial in Modern Lake Sediments of Tibetan Plateau
Based on the research results of deposition rate, organic carbon and inorganic carbon in modern lakes in Tibetan Plateau: supplement the analyses on deposition rate of some lakes and the content of organic carbon and inorganic carbon in these lakes, and establish the carbon burial rate and quantity of lakes in different characteristic time sections (Little Ice Age and Modern Warm Period, as well as Lake Expansion Period since 1990s) in the past hundreds of years to evaluate the contribution of lakes to carbon fixation in different time and space.
7. Quantitative Research on the Impact of Cross-border Air Pollution Transport Events on Air Quality of Plateau
In view of the problems such as difficult quantitative assessment of cross-border pollutants in Tibetan Plateau and unclear transport flux, based on systematic data analysis such as plateau monitoring, telemetry and remote sensing, and in combination with atmospheric chemical models and data assimilation and other technical means: find out the correlation of different pollutants (such as PM2.5, BC, CO and O3, etc.) during the cross-border transport, and clarify its environmental indication significance, construct a rapid discrimination method for cross-border transport events of exogenous pollutants and refine the transport process, so as to fully reveal the transmission path and spatial influence range of cross-border pollutants imported into the plateau.
8. Research on Mercury Methylation of Microorganisms in Cryosphere Environment of Tibetan Plateau
Based on metagenomics technology: expound the characteristics of microbial mercury methylation in the cryosphere environment of Tibetan Plateau from the perspective of microbial molecular ecology. At the same time, discuss the biogeochemical cycle of methylmercury in various cryosphere elements (glaciers, snow cover and frozen soil, etc.) of Tibetan Plateau in combination with geochemical parameters related to methylmercury, and clarify the temporal and spatial pattern, driving factors and potential unique microbial-mediated mercury methylation mechanism of methylmercury in the cryosphere in monsoon climate region and westerly climate region of Tibetan Plateau respectively. The research achievements can provide coping strategies and S&T support for comprehensive prevention and control over the environmental impact of toxic pollutants on cryosphere ecosystem in the future.
9. Research on Collision Uplift of Tibetan Plateau and Its Influence on Earth Livability
Reconstruct the convergence process of Cenozoic India-Eurasia plate, clarify the crust thickening and uplift mechanism of Tibetan Plateau block, explore its influence on deep carbon cycle of the earth, and reveal the coupling mechanism of crust-mantle interaction evolution at lithospheric scale and earth livability evolution.
10. Research on Dynamic Mechanism of Cenozoic Uplift in Himalayan-southern Tibet Region
Explore the coupling relationship between deep dynamics and shallow temporal-spatial differential uplift of India-Eurasia collision zone, and reveal the characteristics, laws and dynamic mechanism of lithospheric deep-shallow interaction under collision.
11. Temporal-spatial Reconstruction of Wilson Cycle in Bangong-Nujiang Ocean
Reconstruct the evolution process of Bangong-Nujiang Ocean from opening, growth, subduction-accretion to closure, and explore the formation and uplift mechanism of Tibetan Plateau in the early stage (before India-Eurasia collision).
12. History of Cenozoic Chemical Weathering in the Himalayan Region
Focusing on "continental collision and plateau uplift and their impacts on resources and environment" and in response to the current unclear relationship between plateau uplift/weathering and denudation and global change: research the history of the chemical weathering and provenance evolution in Himalayan region based on precise age-controlled Cenozoic basin sediment in Himalayan region.
13. Reconstruction of Paleoecosystem in Key Areas of the Middle Reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River since Last Glacial Maximum
Based on paleoenvironmental DNA: systematically reconstruct the paleoecological evolution of key regions in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibetan Plateau since Last Glacial Maximum, with a focus on such issues as the relationship between the emergence of human populations in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River/rise of animal husbandry/agricultural development and ecosystem changes.
14. Survival and Environmental Adaptation of Humans in Tibetan Plateau and Its Marginal Areas since Late Pleistocene
Targeting the human sites in Tibetan Plateau and its marginal areas in different stages of Late Pleistocene: understand the cultural features and connotations of the transitional stage from Paleolithic Age to Neolithic Age in this region, and discuss the mechanism and mode concerning origins of Neolithic and agriculture.
15. Effects of Light Radiation on Process of Litter Decomposition in Tibetan Plateau
Focusing on the core scientific question of "how light radiation affects the process of litter decomposition in Tibetan Plateau", through long-term field observation, indoor control experiment, model simulation and other means, and in combination with the determination of key influencing factors such as litter characteristics and microbial attributes: construct the data set of key parameters concerning litter decomposition in Tibetan Plateau, reveal the influence of different light radiation gradients on the process of litter decomposition in Tibetan Plateau and its mechanism, analyze the relative contribution of photodegradation and microbial decomposition to the process of litter decomposition, and deepen the theoretical cognition of the process of litter decomposition and transformation in Tibetan Plateau.
16. Research on Scheme for Atmospheric Observation of Regional Carbon Cycle
Based on the method for assimilating carbon cycle of regional ecosystem: explore the construction of atmospheric greenhouse gas observation scheme for carbon budget assessment of Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas, and put forward a scientific scheme for selection of systematic atmospheric observation site.
17. Influence of Grassland Fence Pattern on Degree of Wilderness in Tibetan Plateau
Tibetan Plateau is rich in biodiversity resources, and its wilderness is the main habitat of wild animals. At present, the contradiction between increasing human activities and degree of wilderness is prominent. Explain the relationship between change in degree of wilderness and wild animals in Tibetan Plateau with a focus on change in degree of wilderness and biodiversity conservation (a global frontier and research hotspot) in Tibetan Plateau. Promote biodiversity conservation in Tibetan Plateau, serve sustainable grassland management, and enhance the construction of ecological security barrier in Tibetan Plateau.
18. Stability of Alpine Shrub Ecosystem in Tibetan Plateau
Focusing on the response mechanism of alpine shrub growth and regeneration to climate change under the background of warming: discuss the resilience and stability of alpine shrub ecosystem under different warming situations to serve the safety and sustainable management of alpine ecosystem, and provide reference cases for the impact of climate change on alpine ecosystem in the future.
19. Determination of Key Parameters for Simulation of Land-air Interaction in Tibetan Plateau Earth System Model
Under the framework of the development of the earth system model of Tibetan Plateau: provide the land surface model with the key parameters of gridding land surface in Tibetan Plateau (such as the parameters concerning scheme for parameterization of soil texture, soil evaporation and vegetation transpiration) through the assimilation or optimization of data obtained from field observation and multi-source satellites, so as to improve the capability of estimating land surface state and flux of Tibetan Plateau and support the improvement of the Tibetan Plateau earth system model.
20. Deep Learning-based High-precision Remote Sensing Recognition of Periglacial Landform
In view of the aggravation of the impact of climate and human activities on the periglacial environment of Tibetan Plateau and the limitations of traditional methods for investigating periglacial landform: utilize the new progress of deep learning and high-resolution remote sensing-based earth observation to research the method for high-precision remote sensing identification of periglacial landform, providing support for the rapid investigation and change monitoring of periglacial landform in large regions such as Tibetan Plateau, and data support for regional sustainable development and major engineering construction.
21. Man-land Relationship and Safety Barrier Construction Mode in Tibetan Plateau
Focusing on the strategic positioning of Tibetan Plateau as an important national security barrier and an important ecological security barrier: identify the difference characteristics of plateau region system and the differentiation law of regional development, select 2-3 typical regions or representative regional types and mainly analyze their geographical background, dominant relationship and growth path from the dimensions of ecological barrier, development characteristics and security support, construct the evaluation indexes and measurement methods for man-land relationship suitable for the special environment and location of plateau, and develop an effective model of security barrier construction in high-frigid vulnerable regions based on multi-objective trade-off.
III. Method for Application of Open Research Project
1. The applicant shall be an on-the-job researcher with the title of research assistant (lecturer) or above, with more than three (3) years of research experience in related fields (at least one SCI paper published as the first author or correspondent author), and ones under forty (40) years old are preferred.
2. The applicant must submit the application in the name of cooperation with permanent staff in TPESER, and the collaborators in TPESER shall be considered as collaborators responsible for the project. The applicant can only be the person in charge of one open research project at a time.
3. The fund for each open research project totals CNY 150,000–300,000, with a general period of two (2) years.
4. Applicants must write the Application for Open Research Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (see Attachment 1 or 2) within the scope of funding concerning open research projects this year, and send the PDF version of the application and the video of defense (10 min) to the mailbox of TPESER (mailbox tpeser@itpcas.ac.cn) before August 26, 2022.
5. The open research projects are examined and approved once a year. Following the principle of "fair competition and merit-based support", the Academic Committee of TPESER will review the applications to determine whether the corresponding projects will be funded or not. The applicants that successfully receive funds will also be employed as visiting researchers of TPESER during the implementation of projects.
6. The person in charge of the open research project shall submit the Report on the Progress of the Open Research Project (including paper version and electronic version) one year after the expiration of the implementation period, and attach the PDF version of the full paper published, works and experimental data, etc. The Review Committee will offer review opinions after reviewing the reports, and the review results are divided into two grades: acceptable and rejected. Funds will be terminated for those who are reviewed as rejected and those who fail to submit reports on progress within the time limit without justified reasons.
7. One month before the conclusion of the open research project, the person in charge of the open research project shall fill in and submit the Final Report of Open Research Project (paper version and electronic version). The report shall cover work summary, catalogue of achievements and other contents, and be accompanied by the PDF version of the full paper published, works and experimental data, etc. The Review Committee will offer review opinions after reviewing the reports. The review results are divided into four grades (excellent, good, medium and poor) and publicized. Those who fail to submit the final reports as required within the time limit will be disqualified from applying for the open research project fund of TPESER in the future. The research achievements obtained from the funded open research projects can enjoy the year-end performance reward of TPESER, and TPESER can provide rolling support for the projects with outstanding achievements.
8. For the person in charge of the project who violates the research integrity during the implementation of the project, his or her future qualification for application will be suspended.
9. The project funds are managed via the contract system, which can refer to the relevant management measures of the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research for finance and scientific research.
IV. Achievements Management
1. The research achievements and intellectual property rights obtained from the funded open research projects shall be jointly owned by the person in charge of the project and TPESER.
2. Papers, patents, monographs and awards produced by open research projects must be signed with "State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China" as the first or second signature unit.
3. If a paper is published concerning a funded project, it must be marked with "The project was supported by Open Research Fund of TPESER, Grant No. ***" in the thank-you column or the first page.
The right of interpretation and revision of this guide for application belongs to TPESER, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Welcome domestic and foreign scientists engaged in science researches on Tibetan Plateau earth system to work in our laboratory!
V. Contact Information
Contacts: Zhang Xu and Wang Xinguo
Address: Building 3, Courtyard 16, Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Postal code: 100101
Tel.: 13573831371; 010-84097113
Fax: 010-84097079
E-mail: tpeser@itpcas.ac.cn
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