Dinghushan: A carbon sink pioneer

Established in 1956, the Dinghushan National Nature Reserve — China's first nature reserve — has emerged as a global model. Dubbed the "green pearl on the Tropic of Cancer", its 98 percent forest coverage shelters 2,291 species of higher plants and 277 bird species. Crucially, its research has reshaped global understanding of carbon sequestration.

In 2006, the Dinghushan team discovered that a 400-year-old primary forest still possesses a strong carbon sequestration capacity. This finding was published in the renowned international scientific journal Science.

Based on this discovery, the research team proposed the "non-equilibrium theoretical framework" of ecosystems. The related research achievements were awarded the Second Prize of the National Natural Science Award in 2008.

Estimates of carbon sequestration based on the terrestrial surface suggest that China's terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks may be underestimated by half. This research, which won the Second Prize of the National Natural Science Award again in 2023, directly supports China's climate negotiations and the dual carbon strategy.

"Research shows that China's carbon sink function is highly sensitive to environmental changes, which presents both challenges and opportunities," said Liu Juxiu, director of the Dinghushan Station. The station collaborates with more than 20 research institutions worldwide, continuously advancing the study of global change ecology.