World Agroforestry Center has launched an international program to develop the carbon and biodiversity assets for multifunctional landscapes in upper Mekong, which will last from March 2009 to February 2012. XTBG is a partnership institute of this project.

As a partner, XTBG is responsible for studies in Mahei Village of Yiwu, a township not far away from XTBG headquarters. Prof. Hu Huabin is principal investigator of the project (No.08.7860.3-001.00). The total fund granted to XTBG is 78,000 Euros.

The World Agroforestry Center is to choose 6 pilot sites in China (two sites in Xishuangbanna), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar to conduct the research program. By having investigations on biodiversity and carbon increment in upper Mekong regions, the project aims to discuss financing mechanism of biodiversity conservation.

With Dr. Hu Huabin as PI, XTBG team members have started studies. On September 7, the research team went to Mahei Village to investigate forest vegetation of the site.