YNU, Uppsala University conduct fieldwork in Yunnan province

The School of Ecology and Environment at Yunnan University or YNU – located in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province – recently participated in a joint outdoors exercise with representatives from a leading Swedish university.

YNU conducted ecological fieldwork in collaboration with the Biology Education Centre at Uppsala University in Sweden. Some 27 students and teachers from both sides went on the exercise from Feb 18 to March 7.

Students and teachers meet up after the fieldwork to discuss their observations. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The exercise aimed to cultivate the ecological literacy of students and their fieldwork skills, as well as enhance their abilities in international communications and cooperation.

Taking advantage of the unique diversity in biology and geography in Yunnan province, the practice itinerary covered various areas including Kunming, Yuxi, Pu'er, Honghe, Xishuangbanna, Lincang, Dali and Chuxiong.

Based on their individual interests, students formed four practice groups focusing on plants, birds, insects and other vertebrates – autonomously designing and completing a series of practical tasks including small project research and social interview surveys.

The university teams work closely together. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

On March 7, a summary meeting on the exercise was held at the lecture hall of the School of Ecology and Environment at Yunnan University, where each practice group presented and exchanged their experiences and achievements.

Participants consider the presentations at the summary meeting. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Professor Frank Johansson from Uppsala University gave an academic presentation entitled "Biodiversity in Urban Ponds: Patterns and Advice for Conservation Biologists". Dr Ronny Alexandersson, also from Uppsala University, promoted the university's summer programs, undergraduate programs and graduate programs.

The joint exercise received support from various units and departments in Yunnan – including the Southeast Yunnan Tropical Mountain Forest Ecosystem Research Station, the Management Bureau of the Maguan Primitive Forest Provincial Nature Reserve and the Ecological Station at Yuanjiang Valley with High Temperature and Low Humidity.

Also supporting it was the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the Institute of Paleontology at Yunnan University.