In order to deepen the implementation of the national strategy for ecological environment protection in the Qinling Mountains and strengthen basic research and collaborative innovation in Earth System Science, the Shaanxi Province (Earth System Science) Basic Research Center organized a comprehensive scientific investigation and academic exchange activity in the Qinling Mountains from May 9th to 10th. The activity was led by Northwest University, jointly held with Chang'an University and the Institute of Earth Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and linked with platform forces such as the National Key Laboratory of Continental Evolution and Early Life, and the National Key Laboratory of Loess Science. More than 40 experts and scholars from relevant units participated in the event. This event is guided by the theory of Earth System Science and focuses on key issues related to the geological evolution and ecological protection of the Qinling Mountains. Through a combination of field investigations and specialized academic discussions, it promotes cross unit and interdisciplinary joint research and development, providing technological support for the ecological environment governance of the Qinling Mountains and the green and high-quality development of Shaanxi Province. On May 9th, the scientific research team conducted a field investigation in the area of Shiwengzi Town, Zhashui, focusing on on-site observation and sampling of the Neoproterozoic basement and cap rock series in the southern Qinling Mountains (northern margin of the Yangtze Plate), systematically examining the typical karst topography and environmental background of the Qinling Mountains, and simultaneously conducting ecological environment status surveys along the line. During the inspection process, experts and scholars conducted on-site exchanges on topics such as the characteristics of basement structures under the background of multi-stage assembly of the Qinling Mountains, the influence of internal and external dynamic geological processes on structural evolution and geomorphic patterns, and further deepened their understanding of the coupling relationship between Qinling structures, landforms, and ecology. On May 10th, the Qinling Earth System Science Academic Exchange Conference was held. Experts and scholars attending the conference focused on the uplift and geomorphological evolution of the Qinling Mountains, advances in ecological geology research, and climate change records. They shared the latest scientific research achievements and methods, and conducted in-depth discussions on key scientific issues, data sharing, and joint research mechanisms. The meeting emphasized the need to rely on advantageous research directions such as continental tectonics and deep processes, Quaternary science and global change, strengthen interdisciplinary integration and collaborative innovation, promote the formation of a sustainable joint research and development system, and continuously improve the overall capability and level of Qinling Earth system science research. After the exchange meeting, the scientific research team went to Niubeiliang to continue their field investigation. As an important geomorphic unit and key ecological functional area in the eastern section of Qinling Mountains, Niubeiliang has typical water source conservation and biodiversity protection value. The scientific research team conducted field research and discussions on the coordinated path of natural resource utilization and ecological protection, based on the regional geological and geomorphological characteristics and ecological protection effectiveness, providing scientific references for regional ecological environment governance and sustainable development.

This activity runs through the concept of "scientific research for the people and serving the local area". It not only completed the field comprehensive investigation task, but also built a high-level academic exchange platform, further integrated the scientific research resources of the three parties, strengthened the cooperation link, and enhanced the collaborative innovation ability of Qinling Earth System Science Research. Next, the Shaanxi Province (Earth System Science) Basic Research Center will continue to focus on the cutting-edge issues of ecological protection and Earth system science in the Qinling Mountains, deepen the transformation and sharing of scientific research results, improve cross unit collaborative innovation mechanisms, and continue to produce high-quality scientific research results, contributing scientific and technological strength to promoting green and high-quality development in Shaanxi and serving major national strategic needs.