On July 30, the Annual Academic Symposium on Long-Term Integrated Observation of Agricultural Resources and Ecology was held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. The event was hosted by the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning (IARRP) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), and co-organized by the Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development and the Grassland Research Institute of CAAS.

Dozens of experts and representatives from 17 national long-term observation stations, 12 extended observation stations, as well as research institutes, universities, and enterprises across China participated in the symposium to collectively explore the future of agricultural resources and ecological monitoring through long-term factor observation.

Lin Kejian, Director of the CAAS Grassland Research Institute; Wang Chuan, Deputy Director of the same institute; and Meng Haibo, Director of the Chengdu Biogas Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs were among the distinguished attendees at the event. Dr. Zhang Huimin, a senior researcher from IARRP, skillfully chaired the symposium.

At the opening ceremony, Xie Pei, Director of the Science and Technology Management Bureau of CAAS, emphasized the critical role of long-term factor observation in supporting the national strategy of "storing grain in land and technology". He called for stronger data sharing, technological integration, and transformation of research outcomes to support scientific policy-making.

Director Lin Kejian highlighted the ecological advantages of Inner Mongolia and shared recent findings from the "Grassland–Farmland" composite system monitoring. He proposed the establishment of an integrated platform connecting research, education, and application, and stressed the importance of nurturing young talent in this field.

During the keynote session, Professor Cheng Yi from Nanjing Normal University presented a report titled "The Role of Soil pH in Long-Term Fertilization and N₂O Emissions", unveiling new mechanisms in the soil nitrogen cycle and its environmental impacts.

Special sessions also addressed key topics such as the "Three Zones and One Belt" and "Two Returns and One Grass" ecological strategies, data application, and platform development. Experts offered in-depth commentary and valuable suggestions on the research presented.

Participants also conducted a field visit to the CAAS Grassland Research Institute's observation base in Hohhot. The base leverages the typical northern grassland ecosystem and features an integrated "sky–ground" monitoring system that tracks long-term changes in grassland biomass, species diversity, and soil carbon-nitrogen dynamics.

On-site demonstrations included smart weather stations and multi-parameter soil sensors. Researchers and participants exchanged insights on how observational data supports grassland restoration and optimized grazing management, illustrating the practical ecological value of long-term monitoring.

The symposium successfully provided a high-level platform for academic exchange and collaboration in the field of agricultural resources and ecology. Through robust discussions, the participants reached a broad consensus on future priorities and directions for long-term integrated observation efforts.