On a bid to boost scientific research and ecological conservation of wetlands, Zoige Wetland Ecology Research Station of China Academy of Sciences in Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province started operations on Friday morning.

The Zoige wetland, located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, is home to the nation's majority of high-altitude wetlands and represents a significant component of the ecological security barrier of West China.

Gao Yongheng, head of the station, said that the station will carry out monitoring and analysis of biological markers of wetlands, formulate and trial conservation strategies, and train professionals in this field.

He added that the station's research will cover conservation of high-altitude wetland biodiversity, utilization of biological resources, regional ecological restoration and sustainable development.

The station is based at a research building covering 3,500 square meters. It also has three field experimental plots spanning 340 mu or 22.67 hectares.