The current research of this centre concentrates are as follows:

Regional agro-eco-systems and sustainable development

Studying the succession processes of agro-ecosystems integrating  productivity with environmental issues in different ecological　 environments of subtropical regions,and developing　techniques and　optimum models to remedy degraded ecosystems in the Karst region; studying the cycling of　nutrients and water, and optimum models for agro-forestry systems in the red-earth 　hilly region; studying the succession of land-use and hydro-ecological systems, and 　developing models for agro-ecosystems in the Dongting lake region.

Dynamics and manipulation of processes in subtropical agro-ecosystems

Investigating　the　mechanisms　regulating　 the spatial variations of organic C, N,and P in various types of landscape; demonstrating the potential of paddy soils for C sequestration and　 biochemical transformation　of　N and　P; developing models to simulate C cycling and　predicting changes in soil organic C; manipulating　the　processes of subtropical agro-ecosystems with high-productivity, efficient use of resources,and environmental safety.