A scientist measures the meteorological conditions at a section of Tuotuo River in northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 24, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Scientists carry out glacier thickness detection and ice reserve calculation at a glacier in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 25, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

An aerial drone photo shows scientific expedition members preparing lunch in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 22, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

Scientists check the vegetation at a wetland in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 22, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

A scientist collects water samples in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 22, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

A drone photo shows scientific expedition members working by the Koikyim River in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 24, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Scientists collect samples at a grassland in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 23, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

Scientists measure groundwater by the Koikyim River in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 24, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Pan Binbin)

A drone photo shows wetlands in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 23, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Pan Binbin)

Scientists collect samples at a grassland in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 23, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

Scientists measure groundwater in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 23, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Pan Binbin)

Scientists measure the meteorological conditions in Sanjiangyuan area, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 24, 2024. Chinese scientists embarked on an expedition on July 20 to investigate the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

The expedition, comprising around 20 members, will carry out scientific investigations into river hydrology, water ecology, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Key research projects include estimating the carbon stock of wetlands, assessing the impacts of permafrost thawing on the plateau, and measuring the thickness of permafrost on glaciers. (Xinhua/Pan Binbin)