Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haijiang Yang | Ecosystem Services | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Lanzhou University, China

Dr. Haijiang Yang is an Associate Professor at the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, with a focus on ecosystem services assessment and modeling, human-environment interactions, and regional sustainable development. His academic contributions span interdisciplinary environmental studies, combining geography, ecology, and socio-economic evaluation to drive science-based policy-making and ecological restoration strategies.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Yang pursued his academic journey through a series of progressive and specialized degrees in geographical and environmental sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from Lanzhou University, where he laid the foundation for his research in ecosystem services and socio-ecological systems. Prior to this, he completed his Master’s degree in Physical Geography at Ningxia University, focusing on land use, soil properties, and regional environmental changes. His undergraduate studies in Geographical Science at Weinan Normal University provided him with a strong grounding in environmental analysis and spatial modeling.

Experience

Dr. Yang’s academic career advanced swiftly through rigorous postdoctoral research and faculty appointments. He served as a Cuiying Postdoctoral Fellow at Lanzhou University, engaging in high-impact studies on ecosystem services in fragile mountainous regions. He was appointed as Associate Professor in the same institution, where he continues to contribute to both teaching and research. Over the past five years, he has led or participated in numerous national and provincial projects, including a National Natural Science Foundation grant investigating spatiotemporal evolution of water supply services and socio-ecological value mechanisms in the Qilian Mountains, and a prestigious China Postdoctoral Fellowship on the coupling effects of climate and land use change.

Research Focus

Dr. Yang’s research focuses on the assessment, valuation, and modeling of ecosystem services in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly in the Qilian Mountains and the broader Yellow River Basin. His work incorporates spatial analysis, socio-ecological modeling, and sustainability science to explore themes such as spillover effects of ecosystem services, cost-benefit sharing, horizontal ecological compensation, and human well-being. He has also investigated land use impacts, biodiversity-climate interactions, and resource efficiency in agricultural and pastoral systems. Through these research areas, he aims to offer scientific support for environmental planning, ecological restoration, and regional sustainable development strategies in China’s western regions.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Assessing Pollinator Abundance and Services in the Qilian Mountains: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis from 1990 to 2020 for Enhanced Agricultural Sustainability and Crop Yield Optimization
Authors: Yang, H.; Gou, X.; Niu, Y.; Shi, W.; Wang, X.; Wei, Y.; Maraseni, T.
Journal: SSRN
Summary: This study investigates changes in pollinator abundance and ecosystem services in the Qilian Mountains from 1990 to 2020. It highlights spatial and temporal patterns and links pollinator dynamics to agricultural sustainability and crop yield improvements. The findings offer policy insights for biodiversity conservation and agroecological planning in mountainous regions.

Title: Increasing Deep Soil Water Uptake During Drought Does Not Indicate Higher Drought Resistance
Authors: Yin, D.; Gou, X.; Liu, J.; Zhang, D.; Wang, K.; Yang, H.
Journal: Journal of Hydrology 
Summary: This research challenges the assumption that deep soil water uptake enhances drought resistance in plants. Using tree-ring and isotopic data, the study reveals that although trees may access deep water during drought, this does not guarantee improved growth or resilience, emphasizing the need to rethink forest management strategies under climate change.

Title: Response of Tree Growth to Drought Variability in Arid Areas: Local Hydroclimate and Large-Scale Precipitation
Authors: Zhang, Y.; Gou, X.; Wang, T.; Zhang, F.; Wang, K.; Yang, H.; Yang, K.
Journal: Environmental Research
Summary: This study examines how local and regional precipitation patterns influence tree growth in arid zones. The results show that local hydroclimatic variability plays a more significant role than large-scale climatic drivers, providing insight into ecosystem sensitivity in drylands.

Title: The Sino-US Trade Friction Would Exacerbate Global Inequalities in Achieving SDGs
Authors: Ma, W.; Li, C.; Kou, J.; Wang, X.; Yang, H.; Xue, B.; Gou, X.
Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production
Summary: This article evaluates how Sino-US trade tensions could hinder progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It underscores how economic disputes may disproportionately affect developing regions, amplifying global disparities in environmental and socio-economic sustainability.

Title: Elevation-Dependent Tree Growth Response to Recent Warming and Drought on Eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yin, D.; Gou, X.; Yang, H.; Wang, K.; Liu, J.; Zhang, Y.; Gao, L.
Journal: Climatic Change 
Summary: The study analyzes tree growth patterns in response to warming and drought across elevation gradients in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. It finds that high-elevation forests exhibit stronger growth sensitivity to climatic shifts, highlighting their vulnerability and importance for regional climate adaptation strategies.

Conclusion

Dr. Haijiang Yang stands out as a dynamic and impactful researcher in the domains of ecosystem services, land use sustainability, and regional socio-ecological resilience. Through his deep understanding of geography and environmental systems, he has produced a body of work that informs both academic scholarship and public policy. His leadership in national research projects, high-quality publications in influential journals, and commitment to interdisciplinary integration make him a deserving candidate for recognition as a Best Researcher. His work not only advances scientific frontiers but also addresses some of the most pressing ecological challenges facing China’s mountainous and agricultural regions today.