BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China.

NEW SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION

China launched a scientific expedition in Lhasa on Sunday to investigate the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau -- known as Asia's "water tower" -- with a target region encompassing "one glacier, two lakes and three rivers."

The region is home to Purog Kangri Glacier, the largest glacier in the world, located in the mid to low-latitude regions, as well as Siling Lake and Namtso Lake, the largest and second-largest lakes in Xizang, respectively. It is also the birthplace of the Yangtze River, Nujiang River and Yarlung Zangbo River.

CARBON SINK

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau ecosystem absorbs approximately 120 to 140 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, accounting for 10 to 16 percent of China's total ecosystem carbon sink, according to the findings of the second Qinghai-Xizang Plateau scientific expedition and research released on Sunday.

Given that the plateau currently emits 55 million tonnes of CO2 annually, its carbon surplus exceeds more than 65 million tonnes per year, said Yao Tandong, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and leader of this scientific research survey, at a press conference in Lhasa.

ECOSYSTEM CHANGES

Chinese scientists have established a classification system for the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau ecosystem based on integrating remote sensing technology and ground surveys, contributing greatly to the analysis of changes in the ecosystem and biodiversity of the plateau.

They have completed a 1:500,000 grassland vegetation map, a 1:500,000 soil map of the plateau and a distribution map of the alpine tree line spanning 2,400 km across the Himalayas, according to data released by the second scientific expedition and research team to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau on Sunday. Enditem

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