On December 20, 2019, the academic exchange meeting of two scientific research projects undertaken by scientists of the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was held in Beijing. The two projects are the “Research on the formation and maintenance mechanism of cross-scale functions of shelterbelts” (Key Scientific Research Project of the Frontier Sciences, CAS; QYZDJ-SSW-DQC027) and the "Mechanisms mediating aboveground and underground organism-environment feedbacks on stability of forest ecosystems in Northeast China (‘From 0 to 1' Original Innovation Project, the Basic Frontier Scientific Research Program, CAS; ZDBS-LY-DQC019). Experts from the project academic committee, PIs and members of the projects attended the meeting.

Researcher ZHU Jiaojun firstly outlined the purpose of the meeting and the background of the two projects. After that, ZHANG Ting and QI Ke respectively gave a talk entitled “Study with ground-penetrating radar on the spatial structure of roots of Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica forests of different densities in semi-arid sandy areas” and “Measurement of shelter forest landscape connection and its use in forestation,” presenting new research techniques and methods for stand-scale management of windbreak and sand-fixation forests and landscape-scale construction of farmland shelterbelts. Experts participated in the meeting fully affirmed the phased progress made by the research team, and pointed out that the management and construction of shelter forests must not be out of touch with reality, cross-scale research should be combined closely with field surveys, and the overall project summary should be done well to prepare for the project conclusion.

Afterwards, researcher WANG Xugao detailed the project "Mechanisms mediating aboveground and underground organism-environment feedbacks on stability of forest ecosystems in Northeast China,” telling the experts being present the meeting the background of the project, the research objectives, the researches to be carried out, and the anticipated outputs. Experts participated in the meeting confirmed the significance of the project and the academic ability of the research team. They expected that a group of outstanding young scientists would be cultivated through this project to advance the development of ecological science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.