Contemporary Ecology Research in China (PDF)

Prof. Wenhua Li has published 18 books, more than 200 scientific papers, and edited over 40 series of books spanning resource science, ecological construction, environmental protection and agricultural heritage. Prof. Li graduated from Beijing Forestry University (Beijing, China) in 1953 and received his doctorate in 1961 from the Soviet Academy of Sciences. He is a famous ecologist in China, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and academician of the International Academy of Sciences for Europe and Asia. He is currently a professor at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Natural Resources, Journal of Agro-Environment Science and Journal of Resources and Ecology. Prof. Li was the first ecologist to successfully apply computer technology to biomass cartography, broadening research into forest primary productivity. He has developed theoretical principles for the protection and utilization of forest ecosystems; described the distribution of forest across the Tibetan Plateau (laying the scientific basis for forest development and protection in this region); promoted ecological research in the red soil hilly area of China; established the Qianyangzhou Red Hilly Experiment Station; driven agro-ecological engineering at the small watershed unit scale; advanced the theory of Agro-Forestry System Management; and promoted the development of eco-agriculture counties in China. Prof. Li was the first to scientifically tackle sustainable development in China and has stimulated a great deal of research into ecosystem services and ecological compensation. He has actively participated in ecological construction across China and pushed for the establishment of eco-provinces, -cities and -counties.