From May 24-31, Doctor Alan Grainger from the School of Geography, University of Leeds came to Institute of Desertification Studies for a week’s academic communication.

In the afternoon of May 26, Doctor Grainger made an academic report “Desertification Monitoring” in which he elaborated the definition of desertification, introduced international institutes specialized in dry land information and experiences in past monitoring works. He also came up with a five-step desertification monitor process and designed a future plan for GDOS.

Doctor Grainger thinks that it’s technically possible to observe the desertification rate of dry lands, and that the current barrier is the seamless connection of high-recognition satellite image with ground data.

Over 10 researchers in 4 working groups of Institute of Desertification Studies communicated with Doctor Grainger and reached cooperative intent on future programs.