EDUCATION

Ph.D., Environmental Science, Xiamen University, 2006.

B.S., Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1998.

WORKING EXPERIENCE

2011- 2012  Visiting Scholar, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

2011-present  Associate professor, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University

2009-2011  Associate professor, Environmental Science Research Center, Xiamen University

2006-2008  Postdoctor, College of Environmental and resource Sciences, Zhejiang University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Nutrient biogeochemistry; denitrification in aquatic systems; river ecology and eutrophication; watershed ecosystem valuation; integrated watershed-ocean management

STUDENTS in Lab

Wu Jiezhong, graduate (2009-). Study on denitrification in rive and estuary

Lu Ting, graduate (2010-). Study on sediment P and algal bloom in reservoir

Wang Longjian, graduate (2010-). Study on watershed ecosystem services evaluation

Chen Zhuhong, graduate (2011-). Study on Estuarine denitrification

Diane Vwamahoro, graduate (2010). Research topic: water quality assessment in the Nyabugogo catchment, Rwanda: implications for integrated management

Nicolas Turyaheebwa, graduate (2009-2011).Thesis title: Eutrophication dynamics and management implications in coastal ecosystems: Case study of Jiulong River Basin, Fujian Province, P.R China

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. Chen NW, Hong HS. 2012. Integrated management of nutrients from the watershed to coast in the subtropical region. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.03.007. (SCI)

2. Chen NW, Peng BR, Hong HS, Turyaheebwa N, Cui SH, Mo XJ. Nutrient enrichment and N:P ratio decline in a coastal river-bay system in Southeast China: The need for a dual nutrient (N & P) management strategy. Ocean & Coastal Management. (SCI) (In press)

3. Chen NW, Wu JZ, Hong HS. Effect of storm events on riverine nitrogen dynamic in a subtropical watershed, southeastern China. Science of the Total Environment. (SCI) (Revision submitted)

4. Chen NW, Hong HS. 2011. Nitrogen export by surface runoff from a small agricultural watershed in southeast China: Seasonal pattern and primary mechanism. Biogeochemistry, 106(3):311–321 (SCI)

5. Chen NW, Hong HS, Huang QJ, Wu JZ. 2011. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition and its long-term dynamics in a southeast China coastal area. Journal of Environmental Management, 92(6): 1663-1667 (SCI)

6. Chen NW, Li HC, Wang LH. 2009. A GIS-based approach for mapping direct use value of ecosystem services at county scale: management implications. Ecological Economics, 68(11): 1093–4529. (SCI)

7. Chen NW, Hong HS, Zhang LP, Cao WZ. 2008. Nitrogen sources and exports in an agricultural watershed in Southeast China. Biogeochemistry, 87(2): 169–179. (SCI)

8. Chen NW, Hong HS, Zhang LP, Cao WZ. 2007. Risk assessment of nitrogen discharge from a coastal watershed. Pedosphere, 17(4): 467–474. (SCI)

9. Chen NW, Hong HS, Cao WZ, Zhang YZ, Zeng Y, Wang WP. 2006. Assessment of management practices in a small agricultural watershed in southeast China. Journal of Environmental Science & Health. Part A, 41(7): 1257–1269 (SCI)

10. Cao W, Hong H, Zhang Y, Chen N, Zeng Y, Wang W. 2006. Anthropogenic nitrogen sources and export at a village–scale catchment in southeast China. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 28(1-2): 45–51 (SCI)

11. Liu J, Zhang L, Zeng Y, Chen N, Chen W, Li Y. 2006. Mixed integer programming for swine finishing manure handling system in Jiulong River watershed. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management, 9(1): 33–38

12. Zeng Y, Hong H, Cao W, Chen N, Wang W, Zhang L. 2006. Evaluating nitrogen balances and environmental risk on pig confinement systems in Jiulong River watershed. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management, 9(1): 21–26

Publications in Chinese

1. CHEN Nengwang, WANG Longjian, LU Ting. 2012. Watershed scale ecosystem services: Progress and prospective. Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment. 28(2):113-119(In Chinese)

2. CHEN Nengwang, WANG Longjian, LIN Hui, WU Jiezhong, LIU Tao. 2012. A Spatio-temporal correlation analysis of economic growth and water quality for the Jiulong River Basin. Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment. 28(1):19-25 (In Chinese)

3. CHEN Nengwang, WU jiezhong, HONG Huasheng. 2011. Preliminary results concerning summer-time denitrification in the Jiulong River Estuary. 32(11): 3229-3234 (In Chinese)

4. CHEN Nengwang, WU Jiezhong, DUAN Hengyi, WEI Tingzhen. 2010. N2:Ar method for direct measurement of denitrification product (dissolved N2). Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 30(12): 2479-2483 (In Chinese)

5. CHEN Nengwang, HONG Huasheng, ZHANG Luoping. 2009. Preliminary results concerning the spatio-temporal pattern and mechanism of nitrogen sources and exports in the Jiulong River watershed. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 29(4): 830-839. (In Chinese)

6. CHEN Nengwang, ZHANG Yingyao, LI Yanfeng. 2010. An integrated analysis of dynamic characteristics of harmful algal bloom in fresh water in China. Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 19(8): 1994-1998. (In Chinese)

7. CHEN Nengwang, HONG Huasheng, ZHANG Luoping. 2008. Wet deposition of atmospheric nitrogen in Jiulong River Watershed. Environmental Science, 29(1): 38-46. (In Chinese)

8. CHEN Nengwang, HONG Huasheng, XIAO Jian, ZHANG Luoping, WANG Jiping. 2007. Dry deposition of atmospheric nitrogen to Jiulong River watershed. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 29(1): 38-46. (In Chinese)

ONGOING PROJECTS

Principal Investigator. Denitrification Process and Controlling Factors in a Typical Subtropical River-Estuary System, 2011-2013. National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 440,000 RMB.

Nitrogen (N) inputs to watersheds have dramatically increased as a result of human activities. Rivers are believed to play an important role in N removal via denitri?cation. Increasing N export from the Jiulong River watershed to Xiamen Bay (located in southeast China) has been implicated in increased eutrophication and the development of harmful algal blooms. Previous study on the N budget of the Jiulong River watershed suggests that most of the anthropogenic N that enters watersheds is removed before reaching the coastal Bay. We argue that denitrification is a key process and alternative way to mitigate N pollution. Hence, a quantitative foundation is essential for the management of aquatic ecosystems in this region. This study aims at measuring denitrification rates and fluxes from upstream to downriver and estuarine waters, and exploring the key factors that control the N removal process under subtropical conditions in China. We have developed an N2:Ar method using a Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) system for measuring dissolved N2, and a Purge-Trap-Gas Chromatography method for measuring dissolved N2O. Water and sediment samples will be collected monthly, daily and even hourly in 2010-2012 under different hydrological conditions. The ‘hot spots’ of denitrification will be identified through synchronized measurement of denitrification rates as well as water chemistry from upstream to downriver and estuarine waters. This will allow the spatio-temporal pattern and kinetics process of denitrification in aquatic systems to be characterized. The processes associated with formation and emission of N2 in the sediment-water interface will be illustrated through in-situ profile measurement, incubation experiment and isotope analysis. Dominant controlling factors of denitrification in terms of environmental conditions, physicochemical sediment properties and the sediment-water interface characteristics will be fully examined using a statistical and stoichiometric approach.

Principal Investigator. Mapping and spatial valuation for watershed ecosystem services, 2010-2012. Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, 50,000 RMB.

In the context of increased stresses resulting from global climate change and human activities, watershed scale problems such as water quality degradation, eutrophication, soil erosion and habitat destruction have greatly influenced the provision and sustainability of ecosystem services. Based on a global analysis of research progress with a focus on watershed ecosystem services, this study will firstly summarize the classification and valuation approaches involved in the worldwide case studies of the watershed (river and wetland) ecosystem services. The evaluation of ecosystem services has become a popular issue in ecological economics and policy, and aims to analyze and quantify the importance of ecosystems to human well-being to make better decisions regarding the sustainable use and management of specific ecosystems. In our study, a GIS-based approach will be designed to spatially estimate ecosystem services value and to map results for a case study at the watershed scale. The approach highlights the use of GIS to collect data, perform spatial analysis, and map economic values of ecosystem services. The work is expected to highlight research avenues to advance the ecosystem services framework as an operational basis for ecosystem-based management.

Co-Principal Investigator (Principal Investigator: Dr. HONG Huasheng). Scientific support platform to secure Xiamen source water in the North Jiulong River, 2009-2012. Key Project of the Science & Technology of Xiamen City, 6,500,000 RMB.

Eutrophication and harmful algal bloom in freshwater seriously affect the city water supply and the safety of drinking water. Nowadays, intensive human activities and global climate change in the Jiulong River watershed has speed up the evolution of eco-environment, and the water quality and quantity present a great uncertainty and ecological risk. As drinking water source of Xiamen City, water safety in the Jiulong River became a critical issue. Using interdisciplinary approach and effective cooperation, the project convokes scientists, engineers, and managers together aiming at providing a scientific support platform to secure Xiamen source water. The research involves six special topics with target of Jiangdong Reservoir in the North Jiulong River, including an integrated assessment of human-driven environmental dynamics in the Jiulong River watershed, a comprehensive investigation of algal bloom process and associated mechanism, development of dynamic model for predicting water quality, improvement of water monitoring system, and practical countermeasures responding to emergencies such as harmful algal bloom. A GIS-based information sharing system will be developed to act as a platform for real-time monitoring and effective management of source water quality. The project also highlights the holistic arrangement on ecological restoration and pollution abatement, and promotes the innovation of coordinating management mechanism at watershed scale. This project is expected to enhance Xiamen City capacity to secure its source water.