Prof. John QU makes presentation

The presentation scene

On the morning of Jun. 12, 2017, Prof. John QU with George Mason University, USA made a presentation titled WMO Soil Moisture Demonstration Project (SMDP) and Potential Applications on Water-Energy-Food Nexus at NHRI’s invitation. NHRI Vice President LI Yun hosted the presentation, and more than 90 staff and graduates from the President’s Office, NHRI Departments of Hydrology and Water Resources, and Hydraulic Engineering, Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Information Center attended the report.

Prof. QU made a focused introduction on the satellite remote sensing monitoring analytical system of soil moisture, WMO soil moisture demonstration project and its potential applications on water-energy-food nexus. Starting from the importance of soil moisture in water circulation, he elaborated the important roles of multiple satellite remote sensing data, such as WindSat、SMOS、ASCAT、MODIS, etc., in soil moisture monitoring, and the application of this system in different regions in China, the USA and Africa. He also proposed the needs to further strengthen the key research issues in view of current soil moisture monitoring and analysis.

Attendees had an in-depth and heated discussions with Prof. QU on relevant issues. His presentation opened up the international perspective of NHRI researchers, and left a deep impression to the audiences with good results achieved.

After the presentation, Vice President LI Yun and principals with Departments of Hydrology and Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, and the International Cooperation Office had a discussion with Prof. QU on joint application of research projects, graduate students exchanges, construction of ground calibration and test stations of soil moisture according to WMO standards, and cooperative establishment of technical framework of annual soil moisture remote sensing monitoring and analysis. As a foreign supporter to NHRI International Joint Research Center approved by MoST, leaders and experts with George Mason University were invited to attend the Second International Top-Level Forum on Engineering Science and Technology Development Strategy: Water Security and Sustainable Development under Changing Environment to be held in Nanjing in the coming October.