River Morphodynamics and Stream Ecology of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Based on a thorough understanding of changing facts on fluvial morphodynamics and ecology on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the research projects in this book study the effect of the plateau uplift on river network morphology, fluvial processes, aquatic ecology (i.e. wetland, lake and benthic invertebrates) and desertification in the local region. The research focusses on analyzing the causes and mechanism underlying these changes during a comprehensive field survey in 2007-2014, and in the meantime proposes suitable management strategies for protection and rehabilitation of this region.

Main research contents include: 1) hydrological and geomorphic processes of stream network development under the geological background of the plateau uplift; 2) modern fluvial processes (i.e. river pattern diversity and spatial changes, meandering rivers migration, natural cutoff and oxbow lakes evolution); 3) benthic invertebrate assemblages in different aquatic habitat (i.e. alluvial and mountain rivers, saltwater and freshwater lake, oxbow lake) ; 4) wetland types, evolvement and shrinkage mechanisms on the plateau; 5) distribution and evolution of desertification and control methods.

Zhaoyin Wang
Professor of Tsinghua University; Chairman of the Advisory Council of the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (UNESCO); Vice president of the International Association of Hydraulic Engineering Research (IAHR) and chairman of the division of Hydro-environment of IAHR; Chief editor of the International Journal of Sediment Research; and Vice president of the World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research (WASER).

His research interests include sediment transportation, river ecology and integrated river management. He has published more than 300 papers in international and Chinese journals. His scientific achievements include the theory of hyperconcentrated flows, debris flows and control strategies, development of vegetation-erosion dynamics, research in eco-sedimentation, theory and methods of integrated river management. In recognition of Zhaoyin Wang’s scientific contributions, the Chinese government has awarded him many prizes. The American Society of Civil Engineers awarded him the 2011 Hans Albert Einstein Award. The award citation reads: "For his unique contributions for understanding of hyperconcentrated flows, debris flows, watershed vegetation-erosion dynamics, stream ecology and restoration, and integrated river basin management."

Zhiwei LI
Post-doctoral research fellow of Tsinghua University.

His research interests include fluvial processes, meandering river and wetland. He has published more than 30 papers in international and Chinese journals as the first author. His current efforts focus on fluvial processes of the Yangtze River Source and Yellow River Source and wetland degradation mechanisms of the Ruoergai basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Mengzhen Xu
Doctor and assistant professor of Tsinghua University.

Her research interest include eco-hydraulics and eco-sedimentation, restoration of river ecosystems, and the impact of hydraulic engineering on aquatic ecosystems. She has published and co-authored more than 40 papers in international and Chinese journals.

Guoan Yu
Doctor, Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow and assistant professor of Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS.

His research interest include fluvial processes, bedload transport and geomorphology.