Project Description: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

ORGANIZATION: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology andGeography (XIEG)LOCATIONUrumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,People’s Republic of ChinaINTERN PROJECT OPTIONSThere are three project opportunities at XIEG (see below for more details):1: Water Resource Management in Arid Climates2: Biodiversity Conservation and Resource Management in Arid Climates3: Environmental Contamination and Ecological Regeneration in Arid ClimatesBACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONThe Eurasian arid region is located in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent with a typicalcontinental arid climate and accounts for one third of the world’s arid area. This area is thefarthest region from the seacoast with a dry continental climate, which holds the geographicalcentre of Asia and Euroasia. Since the 20 th century the temperature has gone up quickly incentral Asian arid land; as a result, glaciers in mountainous regions are melting rapidly, thesnow-line is rising and glacier storage is decreasing. Simultaneously, spatial distribution andtemporal precipitation changed abruptly. Climate change is greatly influencing the temporal andspatial distribution of local runoff as well as the natural ecosystem, agriculture and humanhealth.This United Nations Development Programme project is associated with the Water ResourcesManagement Programme.ELIGIBILITYThe successful intern must be a registered graduate student at the University of Regina, and:• have completed at least one year of graduate studies and at least one semester as agraduate student at the University of Regina;• be in good academic standing upon application and prior to leaving for the internship.Please note the student’s academic average will be assessed again prior to leaving. Ifthe student no longer meets eligibility requirements they will be denied permission toparticipate in the program;• must fit within the student’s academic program; and• an ability to speak Mandarin is useful but not mandatory.QUALIFICATIONSThe successful intern should possess the following skills:• research• presentation• excellent written and verbal communication• interpersonal skillsXIEG Internship November 2012 1

• problem solving• technical report writing• GISDATESThe period of the internship is for three months, beginning no earlier than May 1, 2013 andending no later than August 31, 2013.ORGANIZATION DETAILSThe Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography is a comprehensive and multi-disciplinaryinstitute engaged in research on oasis ecosystem and its evolution mechanism, oasis ecologicalconstruction and environmental improvement, exploitation and use of resources and regionaldevelopment. At present, XIEG is composed of 8 research departments, 9 field stationsincluding 3 state field stations of scientific observation, one scientific library and one SpecimenExhibition Hall. The major fields of XIEG include the ecological process of oasis ecosystem,Coupling mechanism of oasis-desert ecotone, oasis environment evolution and degenerationmechanism, Integration of desertification control technology, restoration and reconstruction ofthe damaged ecosystem, experiment and demonstration of oasis eco-agriculture, informationsystems of regional sustainable development, programming of industrial structure and urban andrural development, and biodiversity research.# OF SPACESUp to 3 interns will be selected.PARTICIPANT RECOGNITIONUpon successful completion of the internship, the University of Regina may award academiccredit or recognize the intern’s participation on their academic transcript. If credit is awarded,the total number of credits awarded is at the discretion of the University of Regina.PROJECT 1: Water Resource Management in Arid ClimatesOBJECTIVES1) Understand geographic and environmental characteristics of arid regions.2) Understand eco-hydrological processes in arid regions and characteristics under climatechange.3) Understand effects of climate change and local land use on water resources in arid regions.4) Apply Remote Sensing and GIS to ecological environment research in Xinjiang.INTERN TASKS1) Participate in project research activities, which may include:a) Attend training courses on physical geography and hydrologic processes of aridregions;b) Attend training courses on Remote Sensing and GIS technologies;c) Conduct field survey and analyze hydrologic features of the Tarim River.2) Organize a presentation and academic discussion.3) Prepare a final report.QUALIFICATIONS:The successful intern should possess the following skills:XIEG Internship November 2012 2

-Research-Presentation-Excellent written and verbal communication-Interpersonal skills-Problem solving-Technical report writing-GIS-StatisticsDATESThe period of the internship is for three months, beginning no earlier than May 1, 2013 andending no later than August 31, 2013.PROJECT 2: Biodiversity Conservation and Resource Management in Arid ClimatesOBJECTIVES1) Understand biodiversity and endangered species in arid regions.2) Understand mechanistic models of biodiversity maintenance and loss under stress of extremeenvironment and human interference.3) Understand the role of biodiversity in ecological restoration in arid regions.INTERN TASKS1) Participate in project research activities, which may include:a) Attend training courses on community structure, ecological characteristics of arid landecosystems, biodiversity and the role of ecological restoration in arid regions;b) Visit the Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden and learn about the role ofEremophytes in ecological restoration in arid regions;c) Conduct field survey on wildlife resources, and learn about the adaptability andconservation of wildlife under the human interference.2) Organize a presentation and academic discussion.3) Prepare a final report.DATESThe period of the internship is for three months, beginning no earlier than May 1, 2013 andending no later than August 31, 2013.PROJECT 3: Environmental Contamination and Ecological Regeneration in Arid ClimatesOBJECTIVES1) Study ecological regeneration and review environmental impact assessments of arid regions.2) Understand the type, source and danger of the main pollutants in arid regions.3) Learn about ecological regeneration and classification of pollutants.4) Study principal methods and ways of pollutant control and management in arid regions.XIEG Internship November 2012 3

INTERN TASKS1) Participate in project research activities, which may include:a) Attend training courses on effects of massive projects on eco-environment in aridregions;b) Assist researchers in carrying out pollutant isolation and identification work in the lab;c) Conduct a field survey on the application of arid ecological regeneration technology,and survey the distribution and status of pollutants in mine areas.2) Organize a presentation and academic discussion.3) Prepare a final report.XIEG Internship November 2012 4