In a significant stride towards understanding global climate patterns, China has officially commenced an observation experiment on land-atmosphere interactions in the Mount Qomolangma region of Shigatse, Xizang. This initiative was announced by the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday.
“The interaction between the land surface and the atmosphere is a crucial component of ecological and climate systems,” said Jia Li, a researcher at the institute. “In the Mount Qomolangma region, land-atmosphere interactions not only affect the climate of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its surrounding areas, but also have the potential to influence the global climate through complex climate feedback mechanisms and atmospheric circulation.”
The research team has established an observation site on the northern side of Mount Qomolangma, situated at an average altitude of approximately 4,200 meters. Utilizing unmanned aerial platforms, the scientists will collect critical data on moisture flux, latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, carbon flux, and radiation flux between the land surface and the atmosphere.
By integrating data from ground stations and remote-sensing satellites, the team aims to conduct multi-temporal and multi-spatial comprehensive observations. This holistic approach is expected to provide valuable insights into the intricate processes that govern climate systems, both regionally and globally.
The Mount Qomolangma region, known for its unique geographical and climatic conditions, offers a pivotal location for studying land-atmosphere interactions. The findings from this experiment are anticipated to enhance predictive models of climate change and contribute to global efforts in climate research.
This endeavor underscores China’s commitment to advancing scientific understanding of climate dynamics and highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
Reference(s):
China begins land-atmosphere interaction experiment in Xizang
cgtn.com
