Recently, a seminar on the preliminary research results on the 6th topic - Survey on China's Lakes Remote Sensing by Satellite in the Survey on China's Lake Water Quality, Water Quantity and Biological Resources, a special work of the Ministry of Science and Technology was held in Nanjing. Wang Sumin, Dou Hongshen, Fan Yunqi, as well as other experts and research fellows of Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chengdu Institute of Mountain Science, Nanjing University, etc., attended the seminar.

　　 The subject design goals of the Survey on China’s Lakes Remote Sensing by Satellite are to comprehensively and systematically investigate on the status quo of China’s lakes, including quantity, size and location. The workload of this subject is heavy. Through nearly 40 experts’ efforts in the last two years, it has completed the correction of national maps (1:100,000), some of topographic maps (1:50000), more than 10,000 CBERS national maps, Landsat TM remote sensing images, etc. On the basis, through use of remote sensing images, and combined with historical data and field visits, it has basically made clear the quantity, size and spatial distribution of natural lakes larger than one square meters in our country, has also take the reins of new-born/newly-discovered lakes, disappeared lakes, etc., and has achieved initial results.

　　 Present experts gave a high evaluation on the work of the task force, and suggested the task force to summarize research findings and to solve some hot scientific and social problems in the next step. In addition, the expert group conducted a second argument on the preparation of the Atlas of China’s Lakes, and made numerous comments and suggestions. The Task Force is carefully revising in accordance with experts’ opinions, and will start the preparation of the Atlas as soon as possible.