Expedition members at Zhangnai Co field camp 

A scientific expedition on aquatic resources and water environment of 23 lakes in the Qiangtang Plateau, which is a remote part of the Tibetan Plateau, was completed in July. This scientific expedition was launched by Professor CHEN Yifeng from Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Twenty-two members whose expertise are in fish, benthic fauna, zooplankton, algae, aquatic plants and water chemistry studies participated in the expedition.  

Set out from Lhasa on May 4, 2015, the expedition lasted 66 days, covering a distance of 7600 km. The 23 lakes which were surveyed were Nagqu County, Amdo County, Baingoin County, Nyima County and Coqen County in the Qiangtang Plateau. During the expedition, a total of 74 sampling sites for fish, 81 sites (207 quadrats) for aquatic plant, 254 sites for benthic fauna, 157 sites for zooplankton, 189 sites for algae and 98 sites for water chemistry were investigated. After the expedition, some members also investigated the aquatic resources of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.  

The expedition was conducted above 4,500 meters in the Northern Tibetan Plateau. The members set up tents as temporary field camps beside Pam Co, Siling Co, Gyaring Co, Qagoi Co, Zhangnai Co and Tangra Yum Co. They overcame altitude sickness, bad weather, poor living conditions and other difficulties, and obtained very valuable first-hand data and information.  

This expedition is the most thorough and systematic survey for aquatic organisms of the Northern Tibetan Plateau lakes. It will provide more comprehensive understanding of the aquatic biological resources in the Northern Tibetan Plateau. These data will support management decisions for the development and utilization of regional resources and sustainable development as well as national strategic reserve of biological resources. In addition, it will further provide scientific data for the study of organisms’ adaptation to extreme environments, global climate change and other major scientific issues. 

This expedition is an important part of the Basic Research Program of the National Science and Technology "A background investigation on aquatic resource of typical lakes in Northern Tibet". Besides IHB, the participating members were mainly from Wuhan Botanical Garden, CAS, Dalian Ocean University and Center for Animal Disease Control, Tibet Autonomous Region. 

Field camp in Naqia Village near Pam Co

Field Camp near Qagoi Co

Field camp near Tangra Yum Co

Expedition members set up boat for sampling

Expedition members carry boat into the lake

Expedition members sample fish in the lake

Some expedition members collect benthic fauna