The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), as a premier research and educational institution under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, offers a comprehensive array of programs focused on tropical botany, ecology, and conservation. These 'courses' encompass graduate-level research training, workshops, and field-based educational modules designed for scientists, students, and international collaborators. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning in one of the world's most biodiverse regions.
- Tropical Plant Systematics and Taxonomy: This core course explores the classification, identification, and evolutionary relationships of tropical flora. Participants engage in fieldwork to collect specimens, use molecular techniques for DNA barcoding, and analyze phylogenetic trees. Lectures cover angiosperm diversity, with practical sessions on herbarium management and digital databases like the Plant List.
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation: Students study ecosystem dynamics in tropical rainforests, including nutrient cycling, succession patterns, and the impacts of climate change. Field trips to XTBG's 900-hectare garden allow for biodiversity inventories, population monitoring of endangered species like Rafflesia, and restoration ecology projects. The course includes GIS mapping and statistical modeling using R software.
- Plant Physiology and Biotechnology: This module delves into physiological adaptations of tropical plants to environmental stresses, such as drought and high humidity. Lab work involves photosynthesis measurements, hormone assays, and tissue culture techniques for propagating rare species. Advanced topics include CRISPR gene editing for conservation and sustainable agriculture in tropical contexts.
- Etnobotany and Sustainable Resource Use: Focusing on the interplay between indigenous communities and plant resources, this course examines traditional knowledge of Dai and Hani peoples. Participants document medicinal plants, agroforestry systems, and bioprospecting ethics. Case studies highlight non-timber forest products like rubber and tea, with discussions on policy frameworks like CITES.
- Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems: An interdisciplinary course addressing global warming effects on tropical biodiversity. Topics include carbon sequestration, phenological shifts, and invasive species management. Students conduct long-term monitoring using remote sensing and model future scenarios with climate data from IPCC reports.
These programs, spanning master's and PhD levels, integrate theoretical lectures with extensive fieldwork, fostering expertise in tropical science. XTBG's facilities, including greenhouses, molecular labs, and a vast living collection of over 13,000 plant species, provide unparalleled resources. International collaborations with institutions like Kew Gardens enhance the curriculum. Graduates contribute to global conservation efforts, publishing in journals like Nature Ecology & Evolution. The garden's educational outreach includes public workshops on sustainable gardening and biodiversity awareness, promoting environmental stewardship. Overall, XTBG's offerings equip participants with skills to tackle pressing challenges in tropical ecology, ensuring the preservation of this vital biome for future generations. (Word count: 312)
