On June 16, the Joint Research Center for Zhangjiajie Geomorphology (JRCZG) organized a meeting to evaluate the outcomes of a research project undertaken by scientists from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing. The director of the scientific advisory committee of JRCZG, Prof. Zheng Du, an academician of CAS, chaired the meeting and experts from CAS, CAGS (Chinese Academy of Geological Science) and other organizations attended the meeting, together with researchers undertaking the project.

 

Aiming at effectively protecting geoheritage, sustainably developing Zhangjiajie Global Geopark and satisfying the increasing demands of tourists on a scientifically reasonable interpretation of Zhangjiajie Landscape, the government of Wulingyuan District of Zhangjiajie City commissioned  IGSNRR of CAS to undertake a study of  the physical mechanism underlying the landscape evolution in Zhangjiajie Global Geopark in 2012. Over the last two years, scientists have carried out detailed field surveys, collected a large number of samples, obtained detailed information on the process of stream flow and sediment load through installing observational equipment in the geopark, and sent samples to Australia for obtaining accurate information on the age of rock exposure. Typically, they presented a systemic investigation of the morphologies of river channels, valleys, terraces, and drainage networks and from a hydro-morphologic pointview, performed a detailed analysis of the physical mechanism underlying the evolution of Zhangjiajie Landscape.

 

After a detailed evaluation of the research results, all the experts agreed that the results significantly enhanced the level of scientific research on Zhangjiajie Landscape, presented a reasonable scientific interpretation of the physical mechanism underlying the evolution of Zhangjiajie Landscape, and provided a solid scientific base for effectively protecting geoheritage and for carrying out science popularization in the geopark.