At the invitation of Prof. Wang Genxu, head of Alpine Ecosystem Observation and Experiment Station of Mt. Gongga, Prof. Brian Enquist, a ecologist from the University of Arizona led a delegation visited IMHE and Gongga Mt. Station from August 24 to 31, 2015. 

Prof. Brain Enquist visits Gongga Station

The delegation first attended Mountain Forum 2015- Mountain Surface Processes and Environmental Changes in Chengdu and reported the latest development and application prospect of the Traits based Ecology theory and quantitative model in mountain ecology and environment fields. After the meeting, the delegation visited Moxi Base Station (1600 m), Subalpine Ecosystem Observation Station (3000 m) of Gongga Mt. Station, and the sample plots in Yajiageng and Hailuogou. Besides, the delegation attended part of China-Norway scientific expedition. 

Prof. Brian Enquist comes from Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Laboratory of University of Arizona. Brian Enquist's lab investigates how functional constraints at the level of the individual (anatomical and physiological) influence larger scale ecological and evolutionary patterns. His lab uses both theoretical, computational, biophysical and physiological approaches to address integrative questions related to (1) the evolution of form and functional diversity; (2) the origin of allometric relationships (how characteristics of organisms change with their size) and the scaling of biological processes - 'from cells to ecosystems'; (3) the evolution of life-history and allocation strategies; and (4) community ecology and macroecology. His research also includes the monitoring of long-term dynamics of growth and change within a tropical forest in the Area de Conservation, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.