The 2026 Annual Academic Symposium on Chinese Agrosystem Long-Term Observation Network in Agricultural Resources and Ecology was successfully held from August 19 to 21 at the Dezhou Saline-Alkali Soil Improvement Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), commonly known as the Dezhou Experimental Station. More than 60 representatives and experts from various long-term observation stations attended the event. The symposium was convened to drive forward the long-term fixed-site observation of agricultural resources and agroecology, strengthen academic exchanges and collaborative innovation among observation stations, and mobilize joint efforts for scientific research.

The symposium was conducted in a hybrid format. At the opening ceremony, Liu Tao, director of the Science and Technology Bureau of the CAAS, and Ai Chao, deputy director of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, delivered keynote addresses via video link. They highlighted the significance of comprehensive observation work in agricultural resources and agroecology, and set out clear requirements for key tasks, including networked observation across stations, data sharing and utilization, and cross-station scientific collaboration, thereby charting the course for the future development of the long-term observation system. 

The conference featured academic reports by Xu Minggang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Zhang Weijian, a researcher at the Institute of Crop Sciences, CAAS; Professor Cheng Yi from Anhui University; and Researcher Zhou Hu from China Agricultural University. Experts from various field stations also delivered specialized presentations. The discussions centered on the development of long-term field trials, conservation tillage, data utilization, and best practices in field trials. These presentations aimed to highlight the scientific value of long-term trials, and detailed core topics such as green and low-carbon agricultural models, soil nutrient regulation, and regional adaptation technologies for conservation tillage. Furthermore, innovative ideas for standardized data integration, intelligent mining, and resource utilization were proposed, providing practical guidance for optimizing networked observation and data management across the stations. 

Following the symposium, participants conducted a field survey at the Lingcheng Base of the Dezhou Experimental Station, transitioning from theoretical insights to practical application. To begin with, they toured the exhibition hall and sample repository, gaining a comprehensive overview of the station's history and achievements in saline-alkali land improvements, alongside its standardized sample management protocols. Building upon this foundation, participants moved to the long-term field trials to closely examine field monitoring facilities, experimental plot layouts, and daily management operations. Ultimately, through on-site observation and in-depth discussions, they acquired a holistic understanding of how the long-term observation system is established and operated at the Dezhou Experimental Station.

The successful convening of the symposium established a platform for exchanges and collaborations among national agricultural resources and ecological field stations. It effectively promoted mutual learning and resource sharing among stations. As such, it played a significant role in enhancing the standardization and refinement of comprehensive long-term observation, and promoted the deep mining and utilization of observational data to empower green and high-quality agricultural development.