Main work
Prof. Wu Zhongmin graduated from Zhejiang University in 1987 with a major in geochemistry. He is engaged in the research of tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems, including the nutrient cycling of forest ecosystems, forest soil C storage and CO2 emissions, and the impact of extreme climate events such as typhoons and ice disasters on forest ecosystems.
Through the monitoring and study of forest litter in the tropical forest affected by typhoons in Hainan Island, China, a new ecological concept of "Abnormal Litter" was first proposed in 1994. Prof. Wu Zhongmin etc. (2008) gave a complete definition of the concept of abnormal litter, and, the difference between abnormal litter and normal litter was expounded, the measurement methods of abnormal litter caused by ice and snow disasters, typhoons and geological disasters were discussed, and the ecological significance of abnormal litter was discussed. Abnormal Litter refers to fresh plant debris produced by extreme climate events such as typhoons and ice storms, or by human activities such as logging.
Research found that abnormal litter decomposes faster than normal litter; More than 77% of the carbon in abnormal litter is released into the air as carbon dioxide, and abnormal litter has impacts on soil microorganisms, soil animals, etc.
Key research projects
Study on carbon priming effect of abnormal litterfalls by 13C isotope tracer method, 2020.01.01-2023.12.31.
Influence of abnormal litterfall to the soil carbon of old-growth forests, 2009.01-2011.12.
Monitoring and research on the impact of ice and snow disasters on the forest ecosystem in Nanling Mts. China., 2008-2017.
Study on the structure and function of forest ecosystem in Jianfengling tropical rainforest, Hainan Island, China, 1987-1997.
Awards & achievements
Impacts of Ice Disasters on the Forest Ecosystem in Nanling Mts. China., Second Prize of Liang Xi Forestry Science and Technology Award, 2017.
Research on the Structure and Function of Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Second Prize of National Science and Technology Progress Award, 1999.
Published articles & books
Yu Guangcan; Zhao Houben; Chen Jie; Zhang Tianlin; Cai Zhanglin; Zhou Guangyi; Li Zhaojia; Qiu Zhijun; Wu Zhongmin*.Soil microbial community dynamics mediate the priming effects caused by in situ decomposition of fresh plant residues [J]. Science of The Total Environment, 2020, 737: 139708．
Wu Zhongmin, Li Yide, Zhou Guangyi, Chen Bufeng. Abnormal Litterfall and Its Ecological Significance. SCIENTIA SILVAE SINICAE, 2008, 11: 28-31.
Wang Xu, Wu Zhongmin. Research on the Impact of Ice and Snow Disasters on Nanling Forest and its Recovery and Reconstruction. Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House, 2021. (Chinese)
Zeng Qingbo, Li Yide, Chen Bufeng, Wu Zhongmin, Zhou Guangyi. Research and Management on Tropical Forest Ecosystem. Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House, 1997. (Chinese).
