XIEG Holds 47th Salon for Scientific Exchange

On September 25, the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), Chinese Academy of Sciences, successfully held the 47th "Salon for Scientific Exchange". The event featured Professor Peter Török from the Department of Plant Ecology at the University of Debrecen, Hungary, as the keynote speaker, with over 30 experts, scholars, and students from around the world in attendance.

Professor Török delivered an insightful talk on key challenges and approaches in grassland restoration ecology. He noted that grasslands cover one-third of the Earth's terrestrial surface and serve as vital biodiversity hotspots, yet they receive far less conservation attention than forests. His presentation systematically addressed how to set scientifically sound restoration goals, determine when active intervention is necessary, and evaluate restoration outcomes within realistic timeframes.

He proposed an integrated restoration framework spanning planning, implementation, and long-term management, and compared the strengths and limitations of approaches such as natural succession versus high-diversity seed mixtures. Emphasizing the importance of arid-zone grasslands, he advocated for restoration strategies guided by quantifiable ecological outcomes rather than conventional afforestation practices.

During the Q&A session, participants engaged in discussions with Prof. Török on topics including ecosystem resilience, invasive species control, and plant selection for desertification prevention, exploring their practical applications in sustainable land management. The event effectively bridged theoretical ecology and applied restoration science, fostering valuable interdisciplinary dialogue and broadening participants academic perspectives.

Peter Török is a visiting scientist at XIEG, a Scientific Advisor at the Balaton Limnological Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HUN-REN) and a Professor of Plant Ecology at the University of Debrecen. He is an internationally recognized expert in grassland biodiversity conservation and restoration ecology, with research spanning spontaneous succession, technical reclamation, soil seed banks, and functional ecosystem recovery. His work provides critical insights into the ecological, practical, and economic dimensions of grassland restoration across diverse landscapes.

Peter Török gives his presentation.

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn