A recent paper published in Nature Geoscience by Xinghui Xia’s team investigates methane ebullition in the East Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The research, led by Zhifeng Yang from Beijing Normal University (BNU), examines the complexities of watersheds, which collect and transport water while posing ecological risks due to nutrient and pollutant accumulation. Yang’s interdisciplinary team focuses on water environment, ecology, and watershed management, addressing issues such as water pollution, soil erosion, and greenhouse-gas emissions. Their studies revealed significant methane emissions from high-elevation rivers, with ebullition rates six times higher than the global average.
BNU’s School of Environment (SoE) has developed nationwide urban planning strategies and leading-edge computational models to improve ecological water management and control non-point source pollution. The institute, established in 2003, has rapidly gained recognition in environmental research, regularly publishing in top journals and hosting international forums to foster global collaboration. SoE is committed to training international students through various degree programs and scholarships, promoting knowledge exchange to tackle contemporary ecological challenges.