XIEG Holds 49th Salon for Scientific Exchange

The Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences successfully held the 49th Salon for Scientific Exchange on Nov. 25. This salon invited Dr. Peter Gilruth, Senior Consultant and Regional Coordinator for East and Southern Africa at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Dr. Mieke Bourne from CIFOR-ICRAF, and Prof. LEI Jiaqiang from XIEG, as keynote speakers. The event attracted over 40 Chinese and international researchers and students.

The salon was hosted by Peter Gilruth. In his opening speech, he noted that the event marked the implementation of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between XIEG and CIFOR-ICRAF. Using a vivid metaphor, he stated, “By combining the methods of both parties in the field of ecological governance, we expect to compose a beautiful symphony of collaborative innovation.”

Dr. Mieke Bourne presented on "Adaptive Collaborative Management: Regreening Africa". Regreening Africa is a flagship initiative of the European Union. Her presentation detailed how scientific data can be effectively harmonized with local knowledge through structured dialogue. This integrated approach has yielded considerable success in elevating community awareness, fostering shared visions, and enhancing skill development.

Prof. LEI Jiaqiang shared XIEG's success in ecological safety and desertification control. He elaborated on the monumental 436-kilometer protective shelterbelts constructed along the Taklimakan Desert Highway. This project has achieved an impressive 20-year survival rate of up to 85% for salt-tolerant plants irrigated with saline-alkali groundwater. Furthermore, Prof. LEI highlighted the progress of the "China-Africa Green Technology Park", a demonstration base designed in Mauritania to disseminate Chinese sustainable land management technologies across the African continent.

After the presentations, participants engaged in discussion on integrating XIEG's expertise in engineering afforestation and saline-alkali land improvement with CIFOR-ICRAF's experience in participatory community governance.

This event not only facilitated the exchange of cutting-edge international scientific and technological concepts but also advanced the strategic cooperation between XIEG and CIFOR-ICRAF.

Peter Gilruth is hosting the event.

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

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

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