The atmospheric ozone hole is a global environmental problem facing mankind. Ozone layer depletion causes more ultraviolet radiation-B (UV-B) to reach the Earth's surface, which can directly damage cells and DNA of organisms, and cause adverse consequences for human health and the biosphere. In response to this major problem, the Ozone Environmental Impact Assessment Committee of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invites scientists from around the world in the fields of photobiology and photochemistry each year to systematically evaluate the latest environmental impacts caused by ozone layer depletion and UV-radiation and discuss the effectiveness of global efforts in ozone layer protection, so as to provide theoretical support for sustainable development policies around the world. 

During July-October 2020, the Committee invited and organised 46 scientists from 19 countries to compile an updated version of the assessment report around eight critical themes: (1) the interaction of the ozone layer, ultraviolet radiation and climate (2) human health; (3) terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity; (4) aquatic ecosystems; (5) biogeochemical cycles; (6) air quality; (7) domestic wastes; and (8) the relevance of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), UV radiation to the Montreal Protocol. 

Invited by Professor Janet Bornman, Chairman of the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee, Wang Qingwei, a researcher scientist of the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, compiled the chapter "Terrestrial Ecosystem and Biodiversity" of the 2020 Environmental Impact Report. Wang Qingwei reviewed the impacts of canopy spectrum (e.g., UV-B, UV-A, blue light, green light) on plasticity adaptation strategies of understory plants. He emphasised that the impacts of aerosols, haze and vegetation cover variations on canopy spectrum will have far-reaching influence on forest biodiversity and ecosystem health. He conducted an overall review of the research on photodegradation and established a framework model showing the regional distinction of photodegradation in mesic and dry ecosystems, which provides new ideas for the study of "missing" carbon sink in the global carbon budget assessment. 

Wang Qingwei is the first Chinese author of the "Terrestrial Ecosystem" chapter since the establishment of the UNEP Environmental Impact Assessment Committee in 1987. His work will greatly promote Chinese scholars' influence and prestige in this research field. 

The final assessment report included 8 chapters, and was entitled "Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020." A summary report for policymakers had been released by UNEP in December 2020. Some articles from the assessment report were published in the academic journal Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences on February 15, 2021.  

For more details please visit the following links: 

(1) https://ozone.unep.org/science/assessment/eeap   

(2) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs43630-020-00001-x