Drought sensitivity of tropical rainforests is a central issue in research on the global carbon balance and climate change. To better understand the drought sensitivity of a primary tropical rainforest, XTBG has installed meteorological instruments in Xishuangbanna, Southwest of China.

Under the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Global Change Research Group of XTBG conducted continuous ecosystem monitoring. They collected data on water budget, drought index, and canopy phenology, which indicates that the forest experiences strong seasonal droughts.

Based on the meteorological parameters, the researchers set up drought sensitivity mechanism models, so as to detect how drought impacts on carbon cycle and water content balance in tropical rainforest.

The meteorological instruments were installed in a plot of 30m x 30 m. A crane tower at the height of 30 m was set up.

The major functions of the meteorological instruments are to have long-term monitoring on the leaf photosynthesis, leaf respiration, trunk reapiration, trunk sap flux, soil moisture, soil respiration, fine root and litter decomposition of Pometia tomentosa. (Pometia tomentosa is a dominant uppermost canopy tree in Xishuangbanna tropical seasonal rain forest.)