Ting Zhang
Tell us about yourself:
Hi! I’m Ting Zhang. Now, I’m a Professor at the College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University (CAU), where I’m leading interdisciplinary research about surface processes and hydro-geomorphological evolution in cold regions. I completed my PhD in the Department of Geography at the National University of Singapore in 2023. My doctoral research focused on fluvial geomorphology, and after that, I worked as a research fellow for a short period at NUS before transitioning to my current position. Before my PhD, I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees at China Agricultural University and Beijing Normal University respectively, where I majored in Geographic Information Science. This Interdisciplinary background of GIS and fluvial geomorphology inspires me to think hydro-geomorphological processes from a large spatial scale and to understand the scale-effect in geomorphological evolution.
What is your research about?
My research focuses on the impacts of climate change and cryosphere degradation on riverine processes (e.g., water and sediment transport), erosion, and surface dynamics in cold mountainous regions. By providing the first global appraisal of warming-related sediment dynamics in these regions, my work advances our understanding of how erosion and fluvial transport change in response to climate change and deglaciation, as well as the resulting regime shifts in sediment transport. A key finding is that sediment-transport regimes are predicted to shift from a temperature-dominated to a rainfall-dominated regime once "Peak Sediment" is reached and deglaciation is completed. Based on these insights and the decadal in-situ observations, I developed a novel process-based model—the Sediment-Availability-Transport (SAT) model—which can simulate basin-scale sediment transport and hysteresis across multiple timescales under varying climate scenarios. The SAT model has been proven to have high transferability, making it applicable to a range of cryosphere-fed rivers, and provides valuable insights for managing river systems under climate stress.
What excites you about your research?
Given the unprecedented climate change and the rapid cryosphere degradation, the timeliness, scientific and societal relevance of this topic in the context of water resources management is self-evident. For example, against the background of the global sediment crisis, hydropower development in the high mountain Asia region continues to face the issue of increased sedimentation and sediment export from erosive mountain regions. While many deltas around the world are sinking, Greenland’s delta is expanding due to the increased sediment flux from melting glaciers. Given all these contrasting phenomena, I’m eager to understand how erosion and sediment transport in the cryosphere affect global sediment dynamics. This research also opens up exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Working with scientists from different fields adds depth to the work and makes the entire research journey incredibly exciting, inspiring fresh perspectives.
What broader importance does your research have for society?
Sediment is a fundamental element in biogeochemical cycling that touches nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Sediment exported from cryospheric regions plays a key role in forming deltas and floodplains, providing vital agricultural land that supports nearly 2 billion people living in or downstream of these regions. This sediment provides critical resources for food security, water quality, and ecosystem health. Additionally, it is used in construction and silicon-based materials, with sand and gravel being some of the most in-demand raw materials due to rapid urbanization, intensifying the pressures on fluvial systems (e.g., by sand mining). Another pressing issue is the excessive sediment flux from upstream mountain regions, particularly in areas like High Mountain Asia, which provides abundant hydropower resources that power over 300 million homes. However, sedimentation in dams and reservoirs poses a significant threat to the sustainability of this vital energy source. By understanding how sediment transport is changing due to climate-driven changes in the cryosphere, my research aims to inform more sustainable water resources management, agriculture and enhance the climate resilience for mountain communities into a rapidly changing future.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Earth Science?
My passion for Earth Science was sparked early by my father. He is a geologist and likes to share fascinating stories about rocks and he also brought the unique rocks for me every time when he is back from field. These fascinating stories and rocks fueled my curiosity to explore the natural world and the processes shaping our planet. My educational journey in GIS further deepened this interest, where I learned how geographical information systems could enhance our understanding of Earth’s processes. My PhD training in fluvial geomorphology under the guidance of Professor Xixi Lu, pushed me to better understand the complexities of river systems and their responses to climate change, inspiring me to make it my lifelong career.
What are you looking to do after you complete your PhD or postdoc?
I'm very lucky to have started as a Professor in CAU and explore more interesting topics in riverine and surface processes and their interactions with agriculture. I’m very enjoyed to discuss with my master and PhD students and to do interesting research with them!
Given unlimited funding and access to resources, what is your dream project that you would pursue?
With unlimited funding and access to resources, I would love to explore cryospheric rivers around the world, from the Arctic to the Andes. While my current basin-scale study focuses on data collected from the Tibetan Plateau, we know that rivers in the Arctic and those fed by glaciers in the Andes are also undergoing dramatic changes. With sufficient resources, I aim to compare these diverse river systems and create a holistic understanding of how climate change and cryospheric dynamics interact with river systems globally.
What else do you do? Any hobbies or interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I love hiking, traveling and exploring the nature. If there’s nowhere to go, I just throw myself into a film or a pool.
If you would like, please provide a link to your personal website.
https://faculty.cau.edu.cn/zt1_en/