Prof. CAO Jianhua from the Institute of Karst Geology of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences was invited to IHB on June 12, 2023. (Credit: IHB)

Prof. CAO Jianhua from the Institute of Karst Geology of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences was invited to the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on June 12, 2023 for an academic exchange. During his visit, He delivered a lecture titled "'Karst Carbon Sinks: Principles, Processes, and Case Studies".    

Starting from the formation principles of karst carbon sinks, Prof. Cao systematically introduced the occurrence, migration, and transformation processes of karst carbon sinks. By presenting six typical watershed case studies, he analyzed the influencing factors of karst carbon sink flux and explained how to conduct measurement and accounting of karst carbon sinks.   

Globally, karst areas cover approximately 15% of the land area, distributed widely across more than 130 countries. About one-fourth of the global population relies on water from karst surface zones for drinking. China's karst area accounts for about one-third of its land area, and karst carbon sinks represent approximately 50% of the carbon sink flux in terrestrial vegetation. Globally, karst carbon sinks account for about one-third of the 'missing sink' in the global carbon cycle. On December 15, 2008, the International Research Center on Karst under the auspices of UNESCO was established at the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, marking the first geoscience research center established by UNESCO.   

Prof. Cao currently serves as the deputy chief engineer of the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. He is also executive deputy director of the International Research Center on Karst under UNESCO. His main research areas include biological karst, biogeochemistry of elements in karst regions, and karst ecosystem studies. He has published over 150 research papers, books, and other works as the first author or corresponding author.